How to make almond milk at home?

You know, the popularity of almond milk is not just an Instagram fame thing, it's really that good. As an option it’s quite versatile. You can have delicious almond milk lattes, smoothies, shakes, soups, cakes, and almost anything else!

Its nutty undertone, hints of chocolate or vanilla (or any flavour, go crazy!) and smooth texture makes it the perfect vegan milk. Almond milk serves everyone - vegans, lactose intolerants and anyone else looking for a healthier, lighter milk substitute. Its natural protein and Vitamin E content helps build immunity in the long run.

But buying almond milk is pretty expensive... so, what's the solution? Make almond milk at home!

There's a long way to do it and a short way to do it.

The long way requires planning, soaking, blending, straining, heaps of almonds, and patience. Of course, no one has the time to do all that work, so we suggest the shorter, happier way to do it.

This recipe yields about a litre of almond milk, enough to serve 4 glasses. You can use this proportion and make larger quantities as well.

Here's how to prepare almond milk

Ingredients

1. Almond butter of choice - 4 tbsp (you could try this one)
2. Water - 4 cups

Method

1. Add the almond butter and water to the blender
2. Blend in a high power blender!

Yup, that's about it. Just dunk and blend and ta-da! You have your fresh 100% Natural Almond Milk ready. This easy almond milk recipe at home takes just a minute to make. It also leaves the almond skin in the milk, so you get the nutrition from that as well.

Here are some tips to make it even better!

The coolest thing about making almond milk at home is how customisable and pocket friendly it is. Here's how you can make it even better:

1. If you're using unsweetened almond butter, feel free to add honey, dates, jaggery or maple syrup, vanilla, cocoa powder, or even turmeric for added nutrition and flavour.
2. To make neutral-tasting almond milk, you can add a pinch of salt to the blender and use it for savoury dishes. Don't do it with chocolate flavoured almond butter though.
3. Since it takes such little time to make almond milk, it's best not to make it more than a week in advance. Enjoy it fresh!
4. Even though this proportion gives you a healthy and creamy milky texture, you can add another tablespoon of almond butter for a richer, more creamy consistency.

How can you use almond milk?

With almond milk, the possibilities are endless but we've listed our top favourite ways:

1. Coffee - Top your strong morning coffee with a little almond milk and see the magic that the nutty flavour creates with the smokey coffee. It's sometimes a tastier version than using soy milk because the almond milk doesn't have a particular flavour. There’s no going back after this.
2. Morning Shakes and Oats - In vegan protein shakes, vegan milkshakes, vegan fruit smoothies and vegan oat bowls, almond milk does wonders. Even tastier when you top them all with a little (read generous) dose of dark chocolate almond butter.
3. French toast for breakfast - not the desi salted version, but the sweet, buttery french toast could be made even better when you swap your regular milk with almond milk. Get a quick recipe here.
4. Soups for dinner - Brocolli or mushroom soups require some heavy cream or milk, but if you're aiming for a vegan alternative, you can substitute it with some unsweetened almond milk for a lighter version.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of almond butter should you use?

You can use any unflavoured, sweetened, or chocolate almond butter. Just be careful to pick the right kind. Look for a natural almond butter which has mainly almonds as it’s ingredients with no oils and little to no sugar to make almond milk at home healthier.

How many almonds does it take to make almond milk?

If you're making it the traditional way, use 1 cup of almonds per 3 cups of water. However, this method takes a lot of preparation time with soaking almonds and straining the final product. That's why we suggest using a natural almond butter to make almond milk at home, it's faster and just as tasty!

Is almond milk bad for you?

Absolutely not, unless you have a nut allergy or are allergic to any ingredient used in the nut butter. Almond milk has natural antioxidants, good fats, protein and Vitamin E. In fact, making fresh almond milk at home will make it even healthier cutting out any preservatives that store-bought milk may use.

Is drinking almond milk the same as eating almonds?

Almond milk contains the same benefits as almonds. With the traditional method of soaking whole almonds and then removing the peel and straining them to make milk, you're likely to lose valuable protein. However, making almond milk with almond butter requires no straining. So you get the full nutrient value as that of your almond butter. Happy Jars Unsweetened Almond Butter is made with just 100%  almonds, no preservatives, no oils and no sugar. You're definitely getting a lot of nutrition with this one.

How long does homemade almond milk last?

Homemade almond milk lasts up to 3 days in the fridge. Yes, that's kind of a small use window but that's not really a disadvantage because fresh milk always tastes better and it takes less than a minutes to make.

Is it cheaper to buy almond milk or make it?

Here's the math - 1 litre of store-bought almond milk will cost you 300 Rupees. One litre of homemade almond milk takes 60 grams of the Happy Jars Almond Butter which costs 110 Rupees. So it's cheaper to make almond milk at home.

How much almond milk can you drink in a day?

It is recommended that you drink a quarter cup or 240 ml of almond milk in a day. This quantity is enough to give you the necessary vitamins and protein. Unsweetened milk is low in calories and can help you with maintaining a calorie deficit.

Which is better, soy or almond milk?

Assuming you're not allergic to nuts It's mostly just a matter of choice, so here are some facts for you to consider:

1. Soy milk has more protein and is healthier for the heart due to higher quantities of polyunsaturated fat. It also has more minerals per serving.
2. Almond Milk is lower in calories and also heart-healthy due to higher quantities of monounsaturated fat.

Health-wise they both more or less stand on the same level. It's just far easier to make homemade almond milk vs soy milk.

How to make almond milk last longer? Does boiling it help?

You can store almond milk in an air-tight container in your fridge. Be careful not to freeze almond milk as it separates the water from the milk.

While it's okay to warm up on the stove or heat almond milk in the microwave, it's best not to let it boil to avoid a bitter burnt taste.

Who should drink almond milk?

Almond milk is great for anyone who is lactose intolerant, follows a vegan or keto diet, or is just looking for a dairy alternative.

What happens if I drink old almond milk?

Drinking expired or old almond milk can cause digestive issues, diarrhoea, or worse. Almond milk at home stays fresh for up to 3 days and it's best to make it fresh.

The method to make almond milk couldn't be any easier! With such delicious almond butter options and freedom of flavour, almond milk can substitute dairy in coffee, shakes, smoothies as well as some baking recipes.