Learning how to make almond milk is a great place to start when you’re looking to cut down on dairy. Almond milk is a delicious vegan alternative and easy to make. It’s made with only a couple of ingredients – almonds and filtered water.

Almond milk has a neutral taste so it’s ideal for daily use and works well with most recipes that call for milk. You can easily customize the flavor of the milk based on desired sweetness, additional ingredients you choose to use and desired consistency.

Why Drink Almond Milk?

For individuals who follow a vegan diet or are looking to cut down on their dairy intake, almond milk is a tasty and affordable alternative to dairy. However, making your own almond milk can be just as affordable, if not cheaper (depending on the cost of almonds and whether you opt or organic almond).

Homemade vs. Store-Bought

While there are some great almond milk options you can purchase at the store, a majority of store-bought nut milks have chemicals and other added ingredients (carrageenan, natural flavoring, guar gum, added sugar) to enhance the flavor, consistency, and how long it can be stored/sold. If the only options at your local market contain unwanted ingredients, you may want to consider making your own.

How to Make Almond Milk

Making your own almond milk is simple, straightforward, and comes down to these 5 simple steps:

Soak raw almonds, organic or conventional, in filtered water overnight. I prefer organic almonds, however, they aren’t always easy to find and can cost significantly more. They will double in size as they absorb the water. In the morning, rinse the soaked almonds well in cool water.
Combine the almonds with 4 cups of water. Use 3 if you like your almond milk a little thicker. Add any sweeteners and a pinch of sea salt.
Blend until smooth and creamy, for about 1-2 minutes.
Using a nut milk bag, strain the milk into a glass bottle.
Store the milk in an air-tight glass bottle in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to smell the almond milk before enjoying it as it will start to smell tangy when it’s starting to go bad.

A jar of milk and two glasses of almond milk.

Is Almond Milk Vegan?

Yes. Almond milk is vegan since it’s only made with almonds and water. No dairy is used to make almond milk.

Is Soaking the Almonds Necessary?

Almonds don’t need to be soaked in water beforehand. However, soaking is key for silky and non-gritty milk. In other words, soaking almond saturates the nuts from the inside out. For that reason, I always recommend soaking them for a smoother and creamier milk texture. After the nuts have soaked in water, it takes about 5 minutes to make the milk!

Is it even worth my time?

That’s for you to decide! After you learn how to make almond milk and practice making it a couple of times, you’ll realize just how easy it is to make it on a regular basis. Just like eating at home, you have to carve a little time for it.

Can I use it as a milk replacement?

Absolutely! Once you know how to make almond milk, there are countless ways to enjoy it. For instance, you can enjoy it on its own, in smoothies, matcha, tea, desserts, baking, snacks, and coffee.

Is it kid-friendly?

Assuming your child is okay with nuts and seeds, nut milk is a kid-friendly option!

Recipes that Use Almond Milk

Other Dairy-Free Milks to Try

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Almond Milk

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

Author: Sapana Chandra
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: ~4 cups of almond milk
Category: Beverage
Method: Blender
Cuisine: American

Description

Almond milk is a creamy and delicious alternative to dairy milk. It’s easy to make and requires only a couple of ingredients. It has a neutral taste so it’s great for enjoying on a daily basis. You can customize it based on desired sweetness and consistency (just add more or less water!).

Scale

Ingredients

1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight
4 cups water
1 date (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Rinse and drain the soaked almonds. You have an option to peel the almonds (I recommend this if you aren’t using organic almonds).
Combine with water and salt in a blender (preferably a high-speed blender). Blend until smooth and creamy. If using, add the dates and vanilla extract and blend for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Strain the milk using a nut milk bag, a fine-mesh sieve, or a cheesecloth. Compost or save the pulp.
Transfer milk into a glass jar or container and refrigerate. Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Keywords: almond milk, almond milk recipes, how to make almond milk, nut milk