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An easy tutorial on how to make almond milk, 3 different ways! From classic vanilla, to spicy chai and decadent chocolate, this step-by-step tutorial will teach you how to make almond milk at home!
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I remember the first time I had homemade almond milk. I could not believe how much BETTER it tasted that store-bought almond milk. So rich, so creamy and simple to make. I’m sharing a base almond milk recipe plus three variations to spice it up… literally.
For anyone with a lactose intolerance or anyone who wants to try a new dairy-free milk substitute, this recipe is for you!
Is homemade almond milk good for you?
YES! The best thing about making your own almond milk (other than the insanely delicious flavor) is the ingredient list.
To make the base recipe, it’s just three ingredients: almonds, water and maple syrup. Conventional almond milk typically has more ingredients, added sugar or sweeteners and preservatives. Avoid all of that by making your own!
Is homemade almond milk cheaper?
Great question. It depends on what almond milks you’re buying. If you’re buying the good quality almond milk… you know which brands I’m talking about, the price is probably comparable. If you’re buying the store brand almond milk, you can probably buy it cheaper than you can make it.
Having said that, it’s not super expensive to make! The highest cost is the almonds but you only need 1 cup almonds per batch of homemade almond milk. I like to buy my almonds from the bulk section at the grocery store to stock up.
Ingredients in Homemade Almond Milk
- raw almonds – you could also use roasted almonds but this will adjust the flavor. Try to opt for unsalted as you don’t want super salted almond milk
- water – 4 cups water, regular or filtered. Whatever you prefer.
- maple syrup – for sweetness. You could also use honey or agave based on preference or what you have on hand.
How to Make Almond Milk
STEP 1: SOAK ALMONDS
Place your raw almonds in a bowl and cover with water. Let the almonds and water sit overnight or for at least 6-8 hours.
STEP 2: DRAIN ALMONDS + BLEND
Drain the soaked almonds and place in a blender. Add 4 cups of water to the blender and blend until smooth – I usually blend for 45 seconds to 1 minute.
STEP 3: STRAIN ALMOND MILK TO REMOVE PULP
When the mixture in your blender is smooth, place a nut milk bag or several layers of cheesecloth (or a fine mesh strainer) over a large bowl. Pour the blender mixture through the nut milk bag or cheesecloth and gently squeeze until all of the liquid is in the bowl and you’re left with leftover almond pulp in the bag.
STEP 4: ADD SWEETENER + FLAVORINGS
Add in the maple syrup and any other desired flavors to the almond milk and mix. That’s it!
Flavor Combinations
- Vanilla Almond Milk – Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or fresh vanilla bean)
- Chocolate Almond Milk – vanilla extract, cocoa powder + more maple syrup to balance it out
- Chai Almond Milk – vanilla extract + spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, allspice + cloves)
How long does it last in the fridge?
If you store your almond milk in an air-tight container or jar in the refrigerator, it will last you 3-5 days. I have a new ritual of making a batch of almond milk on Sunday or Monday and enjoying it throughout the week.
You’ll need to give it a good shake before using as it’s normal to see some separation.
How to Use Almond Milk
- Smoothies – Use in place of regular milk or dairy-free milk in any smoothie recipe. I highly recommend this smoothie bowl or banana peanut butter smoothie
- Cereal or granola – store-bought cereal or homemade granola are all great pairings for homemade almond milk. Try this apple cinnamon granola for a delicious flavor boost!
- Oatmeal – Here are 5 ways to make overnight oats or use in place for your favorite steel cut oats!
Truly the sky is the limit! Use in place of store-bought almond milk or regular dairy milk.
How to Make Almond Milk
An easy video tutorial on how to make homemade almond milk, 3 different ways! From classic vanilla, to spicy chai and decadent chocolate, this step-by-step tutorial will teach you how.
- Prep Time: 6 hours
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blend
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1–2 tbsp maple syrup, to taste
for the vanilla flavored:
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
for the chai flavored:
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp dried ginger
- 1/8 tsp dried cinnamon
- pinch of cardamom, allspice and cloves
for the chocolate flavored:
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp raw cacao or cocoa powder
- additional maple syrup, if desired
Other supplies:
- high-powered blender (I use my Blendtec Designer 725)
- nut milk bag or cheese-cloth
Instructions
- Place almonds in a bowl and fill bowl with water until almonds are covered.
- Let soak overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours.
- Strain almonds and place in blender.
- Add 4 cups of water to blender and blend until smooth (my blender takes about 45 sec-1 min of blending).
- Place nut milk bag or several layers of cheese-cloth over a large bowl of jug.
- Pour contents of blender through nut-milk bag or cheese-cloth to strain and squeeze bag until all liquid has been removed.
- Add in maple syrup and then flavor with desired flavorings, as listed above.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Shake before using.
Like this recipe? Here are a few others you might enjoy:
This is awesome! I hate how a lot of commercial almond milks have a bunch of additives and sugars, so this is perfect! I also love how your recipe takes like zero time. Always a plus. 😉
EXACTLY! Besides soaked the almonds, you can literally have almond milk in 2 minutes or less! the best 🙂
Did I ever tell you about the time I made almond milk but forgot to strain it? Delicious but probably like bazillion calories per serving and so filling.
Here’s to 2016! And our continued friendship! Love ya lady! xo
LOL you WOULD. Love you!
I love this video. I’m so happy to have met you last year – your energy is always so inspiring and empowering. I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for all of us, our friendship and the Kardashians!!!! Wishing you all the health, happiness and best in the world you gorgeous girl! Sending you loads of love and hugs xoxo
LOVE YOU! Can’t wait to see you once I’m back!
What a great post! I can’t wait to make the chai version, it sounds incredible!
I know you’ll love it!
Loveeee this! I have been wanting to make my own nut milk forever but never got around to it. I’ll have to give it a try 😉 And I love hearing about bloggers meeting in real life! I’ve had the chance to meet a few bloggers who live here in Seattle (including Taylor from Food Faith Fitness – loved her!) and it’s been great every time.
So fun you met Taylor!
Making my own nut milk has been on my bucket list for quite some time — you’ve officially inspired me! Love the video!
xo-Lindsey
aw thanks gorgeous! Can we team up for a video next time I’m in the cities?!? #letsdoit!
Ah yes please! I would love to!!!
I’m so excited for 2016 and what it has in store. Meeting you and Lee along with some other amazing bloggers/youtubers last year was one of the best things and Im so grateful for the friendships I’ve made. So much of the progress I made in 2015 with my blog and food photography is because of you ladies and I cant thank you enough. Watching your YouTube career grow is amazing. You’re like an online triple threat business lady (is that’s even a thing) LOL Love you so much and I wish nothing but the best for you this year. Cheers to a healthy and successful year filled with lots of almond milk and green juices haha xo
STOP BLUSHING!!! Love you too Nik! Lee and I are sending so much green juice detox love vibes from Malibu right now. Love that that one PV date started it all. Can’t wait to watch big things unfold for you this year! xoox
*I’m blushing *
These milks looks amazingly tasty! I just started making my own almond milk and I can’t wait to try these new recipes!
Wonderful! I just love making my own almond milk. If you can remember to soak the nuts in advance, it really is so simple!
Lovely! I always like reading about your blogging friendships, it’s always fun and heartwarming to see how bloggers support and cheer on each other 😀
And btw Davida, you are my inspiration to start making videos in 2016. It’s still a faraway goal, but iT’s on my to do list 😉
YOU GOT THIS!!! Stay tuned on the TBP Challenge cause I’ll be sharing more about how I make my videos 🙂
Yay, can’t wait to hear more about the video process.
YAYYY! I’m literally going to stock up on all the nuts and make my own milk STAT. Obsessed.
P.S. I’m scheming a Toronto trip soon 😉
YES!!!! Keep me posted lady!!!