Almond & Date Milk (Warm Lactation Drink)
A warm almond and date milk with cardamom and a few saffron strands, a calcium-rich evening drink for breastfeeding mums sweetened only with dates.
- Calcium-rich
- Quick to make
- Vegetarian
Why you'll love this
Warm, lightly sweet and scented with cardamom and a few saffron strands, this almond and date milk is a cosy drink to wind down with at the end of the day.
Good for: Snack · Comfort food · New mothers · Breastfeeding
Total Time
15 min
Serves
1 person
Calories
230 kcal
Nutrition highlights
Estimated, per serving
Key Pregnancy Nutrients
- Fibre2 g
- Calcium300 mg
- Vitamin B120.5 mcg
- Magnesium55 mg
Why it can be useful after birth
While breastfeeding you need plenty of fluids, and calcium stays important for your bones; a warm cup of milk helps with both. Here the sweetness comes only from dates, and soaked almonds make it richer. Warm milk drinks are a common comfort for new mothers, though research on foods increasing milk supply is limited.
Calcium
A full cup of warm milk plus soaked almonds gives this drink about 300 mg of calcium, close to a third of the day's need, for strong bones and teeth.
From: milk, almonds
Protein
Milk and almonds bring about 9 g of protein to a single cup, a gentle way to add protein when you are too tired for a full snack.
From: milk, almonds
Vitamin B12
Milk is one of the few vegetarian sources of vitamin B12, which helps make red blood cells and keeps nerves healthy; vegetarian mothers especially need a steady supply.
From: milk
General nutrition information, not medical advice. Nutrient amounts are estimates, and your doctor may recommend supplements (such as folic acid or iron) that food alone does not replace.
Ingredients
What's in it
- Milk – 1 cup
- Almonds, soaked and peeled – 5-6
- Dates, pitted – 2
- Cardamom powder – a pinch
- Saffron strands (optional) – 2-3
Easy substitutions
Dates → 1 date
Keeps a hint of sweetness with less sugar, useful if you had gestational diabetes.
How to make it
- 1
Blend soaked almonds and dates with a little milk into a smooth paste.
- 2
Heat remaining milk in a saucepan; once warm, stir in the almond-date paste.
- 3
Add cardamom powder and saffron; simmer on low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Serve warm, ideally in the evening before a nursing session.
Pregnancy-friendly tips
- Blend the almonds and dates very smooth, or strain the drink, if you do not like bits in your milk.
- Low-fat milk works too and keeps roughly the same calcium.
- Soak the almonds overnight so the skins slip off easily the next day.
Safety note
Contains: Milk, Tree nuts
Frequently asked questions
Does this drink help with let-down or milk supply?
There is no good evidence that almonds, dates or saffron change milk supply or let-down. A warm drink in a calm moment can feel soothing, and frequent feeding with a good latch matters most.
Can I drink this during pregnancy too?
Yes. The milk is heated, and two or three saffron strands are a normal food amount. Avoid saffron supplements or large amounts of saffron in pregnancy.
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