How to Make Almond Milk at Home

Almond milk is a delicious and nutritious dairy-free alternative to cow’s milk. It’s easy to make, customizable, and perfect for a variety of uses like in smoothies, coffee, or as a milk substitute in recipes. Here’s a simple method to make almond milk from scratch.

Ingredients:

1 cup raw almonds (preferably soaked)
4 cups water
Optional: 1-2 tsp maple syrup or agave, 1 tsp vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, or a pinch of cinnamon for flavor

Instructions:

Soak the Almonds:

Place the raw almonds in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak for at least 12 hours or overnight. This softens the almonds, making them easier to blend and resulting in a creamier texture. If you’re short on time, you can soak them for a minimum of 2 hours.

Drain and Rinse:

After soaking, drain and rinse the almonds under cold water to remove any impurities.

Blend the Almonds:

Add the soaked almonds and 4 cups of water to a high-speed blender. You can also add any optional flavorings at this point, like sweetener (maple syrup or agave), vanilla extract, salt, or cinnamon.
Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until the almonds are fully broken down and the mixture is creamy.

Strain the Milk:

To strain the almond milk, place a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or jug. Pour the almond milk into the strainer to separate the liquid from the almond pulp.
Gently squeeze the nut milk bag or cheesecloth to extract as much liquid as possible. You can also use a spoon to press the mixture through the strainer if needed.

Store the Almond Milk:

Pour the strained almond milk into a clean jar or bottle and store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Shake well before using, as homemade almond milk can separate over time.

Use the Leftover Almond Pulp:

Don’t throw away the almond pulp! You can dry it out in the oven and use it as almond flour for baking, add it to smoothies, or use it in oatmeal or energy bites.

Tips for Perfect Almond Milk:

For Creamier Almond Milk: Add fewer cups of water or use more almonds (1:3 ratio for creamier milk).
Sweetening: Adjust the sweetness by adding maple syrup, dates, or your preferred sweetener to taste.
Vanilla Almond Milk: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a smooth, aromatic flavor.
Storage: Shake the almond milk before each use, as it may separate after sitting in the fridge.

Making your own almond milk is simple, customizable, and free from preservatives, offering you fresh, delicious plant-based milk whenever you need it. Enjoy it in your morning coffee, cereals, smoothies, or baking recipes!