Homemade Coconut Almond Milk: A Delicious Dairy-Free Alternative

If you’re looking for a delicious dairy-free alternative to traditional milk, you’ve just found it. This Coconut Almond Milk recipe is a creamy, slightly nutty, and naturally sweet beverage that’s perfect for everything from morning coffee to smoothies or just as a refreshing glass on its own. Made from simple, wholesome ingredients like blanched almonds, coconut flakes, and a hint of vanilla extract, this homemade milk is an easy and nutritious addition to any diet.

Why Make Your Own Plant-Based Milk?

With so many plant-based milks on the market, you might be wondering why you should make your own at home. The answer is simple: control over the ingredients. Store-bought versions often contain added sugars, preservatives, or gums that may not suit everyone’s dietary needs. When you make it at home, you know exactly what’s going into your milk, allowing you to customize the flavor, texture, and sweetness to your liking.

Plus, making your own milk is surprisingly easy and far more cost-effective than buying cartons of pre-made versions. It’s also a great way to reduce waste, as you can make only what you need and skip all the unnecessary packaging.

Almonds and Coconut: A Nutrient-Packed Duo

The star ingredients in this recipe, blanched almonds, and coconut flakes, aren’t just delicious—they’re highly nutritious. Almonds are known for being a great source of vitamin E, healthy fats, and protein, while coconut adds a creamy texture along with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are known for boosting energy and supporting metabolism.

Together, these ingredients create a milk that’s naturally rich in nutrients and flavor, with no need for added sugars or artificial flavorings.

The Subtle Sweetness of Vanilla

A splash of vanilla extract enhances the flavor profile of this milk, adding a touch of natural sweetness and aroma. You can use vanilla extract to taste, depending on how fragrant or sweet you’d like the final product to be. If you prefer a more neutral milk, feel free to skip the vanilla entirely—it’s entirely up to you!

How to Use Coconut Almond Milk

There are so many ways to enjoy this homemade milk! Here are just a few ideas:

• In Smoothies: The rich, creamy texture of this milk is perfect for blending with fruits and veggies for a nutrient-packed smoothie. It adds a smooth base that pairs well with berries, bananas, and even greens like spinach or kale.
• In Coffee or Tea: Looking for a non-dairy creamer? This coconut almond milk adds a touch of natural sweetness and creaminess to your morning coffee or tea without overpowering the flavor of your brew.
• With Breakfast: Pour it over cereal, granola, or oats for a delicious dairy-free option. The nutty flavor from the almonds combined with the mild sweetness of coconut takes any breakfast to the next level.
• In Baking or Cooking: Use this milk in your favorite dairy-free recipes, from muffins and pancakes to soups and sauces. It’s a great substitute for regular milk, especially in baked goods where you want a little extra richness and flavor.

Customizing Your Coconut Almond Milk

One of the best things about making your own coconut almond milk is how customizable it is. Here are a few ways to tailor it to your taste:

• Sweeteners: While this milk is naturally sweet due to the coconut and vanilla, you can add a bit of sweetness if you like. Try a spoonful of honey, maple syrup, or even a few drops of liquid stevia for a sugar-free option.
• Flavor Variations: Want to mix things up? Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor. You can even toss in a few soaked dates for an added layer of natural sweetness and fiber.
• Thickness: If you prefer thicker milk, simply reduce the amount of water when blending. On the other hand, if you like your milk on the lighter side, feel free to add more water until it reaches your desired consistency.

How to Make Coconut Almond Milk

This recipe is incredibly simple. All you need are blanched almonds, coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and water. Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

1. Soak the almonds: Soaking the almonds overnight or for at least 4-6 hours will soften them and make blending easier. This also helps to release their natural oils, resulting in creamier milk.
2. Blend the ingredients: After soaking, drain the almonds and combine them with coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and water in a blender. Blend on high until smooth, usually about 1-2 minutes, depending on the power of your blender.
3. Strain the milk: Pour the blended mixture through a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or a fine mesh strainer to remove the almond and coconut pulp. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible for a smooth, creamy milk.
4. Store: Transfer the milk to a glass jar or bottle and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Be sure to shake it well before each use, as natural separation will occur.

A Zero-Waste Option

Don’t throw away that leftover almond and coconut pulp! It can be repurposed in many ways. Add it to smoothies for extra fiber, dry it out, and use it as a base for homemade granola, or incorporate it into baked goods like cookies and muffins. This way, nothing goes to waste, and you get even more out of your ingredients.

A Nourishing Addition to Any Diet

Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking for a delicious dairy-free milk option, this Coconut Almond Milk recipe is a great choice. It’s nutritious, easy to make, and incredibly versatile. Plus, the combination of almonds and coconut offers a naturally sweet, nutty flavor that’s hard to resist.

With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can enjoy fresh, homemade milk that’s free from preservatives and unnecessary additives. It’s a nutritious, flavorful, and satisfying alternative to store-bought plant-based milk, and once you try it, you might never go back!

Coconut Almond Milk

A thick, creamy, delicious, concentrated homemade coconut almond milk. You can dilute as much as up to 1:4 with water and you will still have a creamy and healthy beverage for use in any way you like.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Resting Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 143 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces slivered blanched almonds
• 8 ounces unsweetened coconut flakes
• 5 cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Combine slivered/blanched almonds and unsweetened coconut flakes in a metal or glass bowl. Mix well to incorporate.
• Boil water and pour over almonds and coconut flakes. Add vanilla extract, stir to incorporate. Let rest 2 or more hours.
• Blend almond coconut mixture in VitaMix or food processor for 1 minute or so (I like to go a bit over)
• Pour almond/coconut mash into a nut milk bag or cheesecloth. Squeeze the milk out and discard pulp (or use to make almond coconut meal)
• Pour milk into a large glass bottle or pitcher and store in the fridge.

Keyword almonds, coconut milk, vanilla extract