Creamy Garlic Milk with Cloves — A Cozy, Old-Fashioned Drink
There’s something about a warm homemade drink simmering on the stove that instantly makes the kitchen feel a little more comforting. I first heard about garlic boiled in milk from a family friend who swore by it as an old-fashioned evening drink. I was honestly skeptical at first—garlic and milk didn’t sound like the most inviting combination!
Still, I decided to give it a try last weekend when my family was over. I added a few whole cloves for warmth and let everything gently simmer together. The kitchen filled with a surprisingly cozy aroma, and once it cooled enough to drink, everyone wanted to taste it.
Was it unusual? Absolutely. But it was also creamy, warming, and much milder than I expected. My family actually loved it, especially with a little honey stirred in at the end.
Since then, this has become one of those simple recipes I like making on quiet weekends. Sometimes I make it when I’m stressed and want something warm and comforting, and other times it’s simply because I’m in the mood for an old-fashioned homemade drink.
One important note before we get started: you may have seen claims online that garlic boiled in milk can make blood flow “12 times stronger” or work better than medication. Those claims aren’t established by reliable clinical evidence. Garlic is a nutritious food, but this drink shouldn’t be considered a treatment for circulation problems or erectile dysfunction.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Milk
Uses just a handful of simple ingredients
Warm, creamy, and comforting
Easy to prepare in about 10 minutes
Garlic becomes much softer and less sharp when gently simmered
Cloves add a naturally warm, aromatic flavor
Honey can make it pleasantly sweet
Ingredients
Makes 2 servings
2 cups whole milk
4–5 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
4–5 whole cloves
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
1–2 teaspoons honey, optional
A tiny pinch of ground black pepper, optional
A Little About the Garlic
Don’t chop the garlic too finely. I prefer to simply crush the cloves with the flat side of a knife. They release enough flavor into the milk without making the finished drink overwhelmingly garlicky.
How to Make Garlic Milk
1. Prepare the garlic
Peel the garlic cloves and gently crush them. There’s no need to mince them.
2. Start the milk
Pour the milk into a small saucepan and add the crushed garlic and whole cloves.
3. Simmer gently
Place the saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Let the milk come to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
Don’t let it boil aggressively. Milk can scorch quickly, so keeping the heat low makes a big difference.
4. Add the cinnamon
If you’re using cinnamon, add it during the last few minutes of cooking. Continue simmering for approximately 5–8 minutes, allowing the garlic and cloves to infuse the milk.
5. Strain
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Strain the drink into two cups to remove the garlic pieces and cloves, or leave the softened garlic in if you enjoy the stronger flavor.
6. Sweeten and serve
Let it cool for a minute or two, then stir in honey to taste.
I personally like just a teaspoon of honey per cup. It takes the edge off the garlic without making the drink overly sweet.
My Favorite Way to Serve It
I like drinking this warm in the evening, especially on a chilly weekend. There’s no need to make it complicated—just pour it into your favorite mug, settle somewhere comfortable, and enjoy it slowly.
If you’re new to garlic milk, I’d recommend starting with 2–3 garlic cloves instead of 5. You can always increase the amount the next time.
A Few Tips I’ve Learned
Keep the heat low.
This is probably the most important tip. High heat can scorch the milk and give the drink an unpleasant taste.
Don’t overdo the cloves.
Cloves have a powerful flavor. A few are plenty.
Honey goes in at the end.
I prefer adding honey after removing the pan from the heat.
Use fresh garlic.
Fresh cloves give a much better flavor than pre-minced garlic.
Try it without cinnamon first.
That lets you taste the basic garlic-and-milk combination before deciding whether you want extra spices.
Can You Drink Garlic Milk Every Day?
For most people, garlic used as a normal food ingredient is generally fine. However, larger amounts of garlic can cause heartburn, stomach upset, or digestive discomfort in some people.
Garlic can also interact with certain medications, including some medicines that affect blood clotting. If you’re taking regular medication or have a medical condition, it’s sensible to check with your healthcare professional before consuming large amounts of garlic regularly.
And despite the claims in viral social-media posts, this recipe shouldn’t replace prescribed medication or medical treatment for blood-flow or sexual-health problems.
Nutrition Information
Approximate values per serving, assuming whole milk and 1 teaspoon of honey per serving.
Nutrient Approx. Amount
Calories 160 kcal
Protein 8 g
Total Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Carbohydrates 17 g
Fiber 0.5 g
Total Sugars 16 g
Added Sugar 6 g
Sodium 90 mg
Calcium 290 mg
Potassium 350 mg
Nutrition will vary depending on the type of milk, amount of honey, and how much of the garlic and spices are actually consumed.
Final Thoughts
The first time I made garlic milk, I wasn’t expecting much. In fact, I was mostly curious to see whether my family would even take a second sip!
But sometimes the simplest recipes become the ones we remember. This one reminds me of that relaxed weekend afternoon in the kitchen, everyone gathering around to taste something new and laughing about how strange garlic and milk sounded together.
