Star Anise Milk

A delicious Star Anise milk recipe perfect for the holidays or any time! This warm, comforting drink is easy to make and has a lovely aroma.

I am going to share a recipe that is perfect for the holiday season. Star anise milk can be enjoyed as a nightcap and it has many health benefits.

The Star Anise Milk recipe is a unique way to make milk that has a slightly spicy, sweet taste. It is perfect for those who want to try something new and different. The best part about this recipe is how easy it is!

If you’re looking for a new, exotic flavor to add to your kitchen, look no further than star anise. This spice has a slightly sweet and licorice-y taste that is perfect for so many dishes and drinks. It’s such an underrated spice really.

This recipe will show you how to make a flavorful and aromatic milk that’s perfect for sipping all winter long!

What is Anise Milk?

Anise Milk is a Dutch recipe for a drink that is made from warm milk with star anise seeds and vanilla sugar.

This drink is most commonly known in the Netherlands and it’s called Anijsmelk – which literally translates to Anise Milk. It has a sweet, licorice-like flavor and is easy to make at home.

Traditionally, this drink is given to children when they come down with a cold or an upset stomach. However, it also tastes delicious and is very comforting, which is why many people drink it even when they’re feeling healthy.

Star Anise vs Anise Seeds

Star anise is different from anise seeds. Star anise comes from a tree that is native to China, whereas anise seeds come from the fennel plant which is native to the Mediterranean region.

While completely unrelated, they do have a similar flavour of black licorice. Star anise does have a stronger, more distinct flavor that is sweeter than anise seeds.

You can use either one to make this Dutch drink, but I find that Star Anise gives a better flavoured milk overall. Plus garnished with Star Anise pods, the anise milk is truly festive looking!

Health Benefits of Star Anise

Since I really do prefer Star Anise for making this warm milk, we will only look at the health benefits from this particular spice.

According to Healthline, in “traditional Chinese and folk medicine practices, star anise is steeped in water to make a tea used to treat respiratory infections, nausea, constipation and other digestive issues.” However, there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Star anise does offer a dense supply of flavonoids and polyphenols which may contribute antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

The most powerful health benefit when it comes to Anise milk, in my opinion, is just how comforting it can be to sit with a mug of warm milk and forget the stresses of the day. It’s a great way to relax at the end of the day, which I think is an important part of maintaining both physical and mental health.

About the Ingredients in Star Anise Milk

Anise – Either Star Anise pods or Crushed Anise seeds. You can crush whole anise-seeds easily with a mortar and pestle or just the back of a spoon.

Milk – Any milk will do. You can make vegan anise milk just by swapping in Almond milk or Soy milk. I think whole milk gives the best flavour though.

Sugar – Use either plain granulated sugar or honey here. Vanilla sugar is more traditional, which is just a mix of sugar and a touch of vanilla. It’s nearly impossible to get in North America so just stick with plain sugar. Feel free to add a splash of pure vanilla extract to your milk if desired. You can omit the sugar entirely if desired.

Looking for More Festive Non-alcoholic Holiday Drinks?

Check out some of my favourite Christmas drinks for the whole family!

Looking for a great tasting homemade eggnog recipe? This one is rich and creamy and tastes better than the store-bought stuff!

Wassail is traditionally drunk on Christmas Eve and is a special type of hot mulled cider that typically contained eggs.  This slow cooker Wassail is super easy and kid friendly too.

This Non-Alcoholic Cranberry Orange Spritzer is a festive drink for the holidays that everyone can enjoy. The bonus is you likely have everything you need in your home already to mix it up!

How to Make Star Anise Milk

Yields: 1 Serving | Prep time: 2 Mins | Cook time: 12 Mins

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup (350 mL) Whole Milk
• 3 Star Anise pods (or 1 tsp crushed anise seed)
• 1 tsp Sugar or Honey

Directions:

In a small pot over medium heat, warm the milk, anise, and sugar until it just comes to a boil. Lower the heat to low and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.

If you used anise seed you will want to pour the milk through a strainer before serving.

Serve warm.