Almond Milk Recipe | How to make Almond Milk

Homemade Almond Milk is so better, fresh and made without any preservatives, fillers or flavorings! All you need are some almonds, water and a high-speed blender. I have been making and using Almond milk for a long time not just in our drinks and beverages, but also to make a lot of other goodies. Try this hassle-free, super easy Almond Milk recipe at home.

About Almond Milk

Almond Milk is a popular plant based milk option for many. As fancy as it may sound, the Almond Milk recipe is quite simple as it is made by just blending fresh soaked almonds with water and straining the mixture to get rid of the solids.

I could never consume plain milk even with sugar. After trying Almond Milk a couple of times, I’m literally hooked to it. It is so good, especially for a person like me who does not have a natural inclination towards milk. It has changed my perception completely.

It is easy on the stomach and doesn’t even leave a typical milky after-taste. This plant-based milk is great for even kids or adults who are lactose intolerant or are allergic to dairy.

Why Homemade

A batch of Almond Milk made at home is pure and fresh. Thus, always better than the store-bought one. This is because of the following reasons:

• It is going to be free from any additives, preservatives or fillers.
• You will only use the best quality or organic almonds to make it.
• Almonds like any other nuts tend to become rancid very soon. When you are preparing this milk at home, you’ll have the assurance of not using rancid almonds for the same.
• You will know the source of water.

This Almond Milk recipe is the perfect guide for you to make a great quality batch of this plant-based milk.

How To Use Almond Milk

It can be consumed plain or sweetened with honey or sugar or your preferred sweetener. Try having it with your bowl of cereals and fruits, or mixing cocoa powder in warm milk for a nice, smooth hot chocolate drink.

You can also make quick, decadent dessert with it or prepare milkshakes with fruits like apple, mango, banana and strawberry.

I have also used it to make some Indian desserts and sweets, and it does act as a great substitute for dairy milk. It is because the consistency of Almond Milk is similar to that of dairy milk, but it has a refreshing flavor which is missing in dairy milk.

It is an excellent low-calorie plant based milk as well. This stays best for 3 to 4 days when refrigerated.

How to make Almond Milk

1. Boil 2 cups water in a pot or saucepan and switch off the heat when the water starts boiling. You could also boil water in an electric kettle.

2. Rinse 1 cup almonds and add these to the boiled water. Cover with a lid and blanch for 30 to 45 minutes.

You could also opt to soak the almonds overnight for 7 to 8 hours. Later drain the water and use the almonds to blend.

3. Drain the water from the blanched almonds. To peel the almonds, press the peel of the almond between your thumb and forefinger. The peel comes off easily. Peel all the almonds this way.

You could choose to keep the peels if you have less time as we will be straining the milk later. But if you plan not to strain the milk, then do peel them. Ground almonds husks are irritating to the throat.

If you make almond milk everyday or make in more quantities, it will not be possible for you to peel them every time. So it is better that you strain the milk after blending.

4. Now transfer the peeled almonds in a sturdy high-speed blender and add 4 cups water. Cover with the lid and blend till smooth.

The almonds must be finely ground and should have not any chunks or bits.

5. Now strain the almond milk. Using a juice strainer or fine sieve or nut milk bag or muslin/cheese cloth bag, strain the milk keeping a large bowl or a jug below.

6. You will see the milk filtering down and the almond meal in the strainer. Press the meal with a wooden or non-reactive metal spoon to extract the maximum milk.

7. Collect the leftover almond meal and freeze or refrigerate it for further use. You can also choose to discard it. I usually add them to my cookies and bread.

Do read on below in the “Expert Tips” section on how you can use the this almond meal in your cooking.

10. Collect the almond milk in a ceramic or glass jar or glass bottle. Keep the jar covered in a refrigerator.

11. Use this to make your favorite drink, add to cereals or just have it as is. For a warm drink, just warm the milk, don’t boil.

With almond milk, I make many fruit based smoothies and shakes like Apple Milkshake, Avocado Shake, Strawberry Milkshake. I also add it to baked recipes like Eggless Chocolate Cake, Date Cake and many more.

Expert Tips

1. Peeling almonds: Blanching the almonds in hot water makes them easier to peel. You can also soak the almonds overnight. I find peeling overnight soaked almonds cumbersome as the peels don’t come off easily. You can keep the peels if you want. I remove them as they can cause irritation in the throat when ground.
2. Straining almond milk: It can be strained in one go or twice or thrice. For thick milk, first blend the almonds with 1 or 2 cups of water and strain. Collect the leftover almond meal in the blender. Add 2 cups water and blend again. Strain and this will be the thin milk.
3. Storage: It stays best for 3 to 4 days in a refrigerator. So, make as per your need. Shake the bottle or stir the Almond Milk in the jar before using as the heavy particles settle down.
4. What to do with leftover almond meal: You can use the leftover almond meal for your roti dough, bread dough and even sweets. Or roast it in a pan till it becomes dry and grind it to get nutritious homemade almond flour. This flour can be used to make excellent gluten-free tarts, cookies, cakes, breads and other goodies.
5. Heating almond milk: Avoid boiling or overheating of the Almond Milk as it causes the milk to separate and lose its flavor. You can gently warm or lightly heat it.

FAQs

This Almond Milk recipe post from the archives, first published on February 2013 has been republished and updated on November 2022.