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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
How long can I soak the almonds for almond milk?
You can soak the almonds overnight for best results.
Can I use Almond Milk in summers too?
Yes, you can. Soaking the almonds overnight helps reducing the heat factor in them. This way it can be used in summer drinks and beverages.
Can I use this Almond Milk to bake cakes?
Yes, you can use this Almond Milk for baking cakes too.
What is the shelf-life of this Almond Milk?
The shelf-life of this Almond Milk is 3 to 4 days. But, make sure to keep it in the refrigerator.
I made tea with almond milk but it curdled. What could be the reason?
The reason is that if you heat or boil almond milk, it will curdle or get scorched. Avoid doing so.
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds
- 2 cups water – for blanching almonds
- 4 cups water – for blending the almonds
Instructions
Soaking almonds
- In a saucepan, boil water. Add the rinsed almonds.
- You can also boil water in an electric kettle. Pour the hot water over the almonds in a heat proof bowl.
- Cover pan or bowl with lid and blanch almonds for 30 to 45 minutes.
- After 30 to 45 minutes, drain the water.
Making almond milk
- Peel the almonds one by one. You could opt to keep the peels on the almonds, if you are going to strain the almond milk.
- Blend the peeled almonds to a fine and smooth consistency with 4 cups of water in a blender.
- Strain once or twice using a nut milk bag, a fine strainer or cheesecloth or muslin.For a slightly thicker milk you can add 2.5 to 3 cups of water while blending.
- Collect the almond milk in a bottle or jar. Keep it covered in the refrigerator.
- It keeps well for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
- The leftover almond meal can be used in cakes, cookies or making breads.
Notes
- The almonds can be soaked overnight or for 7 to 8 hours also.
- The Almond Milk 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 meal in the blender. Add 2 cups water and blend again. Strain and this will be the thin milk.
- Use a high speed blender to get a smooth and fine consistency in the milk.
- This Almond Milk stays best for 3 to 4 days in a refrigerator. So, make as per your need.
- Preferably try to use organic almonds.
- The approximate nutritional info is for 1 cup of Almond Milk made from the recipe.
Nutrition
This Almond Milk recipe post from the archives, first published on February 2013 has been republished and updated on November 2022.
Which brand of organic almonds do you use . I’ve tried a few but I don’t think they are organic as claimed .
I get them from bigbasket and sometimes amazon, but I do not remember the brand.
Hi, xan you please tell whether the almond milk can be used to make carrot Halwa?
I have lactose intolerance and looking for an alternative to dairy milk in gajar ka halwa.
You can use almond milk. Cook the carrots and almond milk mixture on a medium-low to medium heat, so that the mixture does not stick to the pan.
Thanks a lot for sharing the recipe in such an easy way and in detail. My daughter turned vegan. And as a mother I want to support her in all possible way including trying vegan recipes in day today life. This is most useful.
pleased to know this thankyou so much priti you you and your daughter 🙂
Hi Dassana,
Just wanted to know, if we can use this milk in summers too? As it is said that almods are garam in taseer.
nidhi, if you soak the almonds overnight then the heat factor is reduced much in them. we use soaked almonds in thandai also.
Thanks. That makes perfect sense!
welcome nidhi
Another easy recipe as always. Thanks a lot for this
welcome ananya
Can I make almond milk with already ground almond. I bought ground almonds.
kadii, i don’t know. i never tried this way.
Hi! I simply loved your recipe. But I have a doubt. I recenyltly came across a cake recipe that requires almond milk in it. Can I use this almond milk to bake cakes?
thanks hetal. yes you can use this almond milk in baking.
I prepared the almond milk using the receipe. Came out very well. Add date syrup for sweetness. Also used this to make avacado milkshake. My family loved it.
thanks
welcome lakshmi and thanks for sharing your inputs.
Hi, really the this post made the process seem so simple, I wanted to ask what is the shelf life of this milk?
just 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
love it inshalllah soon i will prepeare this for my hubby and daughter
Hi Dassana,
I love your blog – the recipe explanations, the pics. It’s great – I’m happy your husband convinced you to make this blog happen 🙂
I have a question. Where do you buy your organic almonds? I love almond milk and would love to make it all over again but the organic shops sell it in 100 g-packs and totalled up to bigger amounts (which will be required for constant almond milk making) will be expensive.
I’ve read that almonds get sprayed a lot, so it’s important to get them organic. On the other hand cashews cannot take pesticides well, so again I’ve read that cashews could also be bought non-organic if required. Do you agree?
I’d love to get a tip from you in this regard! Thanks!
Minni
hi minni – firstly thanks a lot. i had actually got these almonds from an organic fair. i had got in bulk. i have seen 500 gms organic almonds and cashews from down to earth organic brand. living in goa, i have seen cashew trees not being sprayed with pesticides. they grow so much in abundance there and wildly too. so cashews can be brought non organic. even i buy non organic cashews. however almonds i prefer to buy them organic.
hi ..you have got a really nice blog..i came upon it accidentally ,and iam really glad that i did.Now any time i want to make a veg dish,i just visit your blog..and iam happy to say that all of them came out really well
i tried out the almond milk too..wanted to do it since a very long time and it was an instant hit..well i’d like to leave a tip here..if you have a microwave just put the almonds in a microwave safe dish, along with water to soak them and microwave for about 30-45 secs..the skins will come off in a jiffy
..
thanks again for the lovely blog..
thanks sheeba for the motivating comment as well as for your helpful tip. such tips are always welcome and appreciated.
Hi Dassana,
I tried this at home, and the almond milk was really yummy!! My husband and my little baby loved it, it has become kind of regular at my home now.
Thanks for sharing such nice recpies!
thanks aman
Thanks for sharing this and for your pictures! I’ve wanted to make almond milk for a while now, will definitely try!!
do try michelle.
i tried making chai with almond milk but it gets curdled 🙁
any idea what went wrong or we cannot make tea with almond milk.
hi sneha. if you heat or boil the almond milk in chai, then it gets curdled. the same thing happens with cashew milk. i personally do not like the taste of tea made with almond milk. with cashew milk, one does not come to know much of a difference. it tastes like regular chai. the one made with soy milk has the soy taste. so i suggest that just add the almond or cashew milk, then stir and switch off the flame. a little extra heat and they start becoming slimy. you can make tea with almond milk. if you like the taste, then your mornings tea with almond milk will be super healthy. if you want to make cashew milk, then here’s the recipe:
soak 1 cup cashew for 1-2 hours.
drain and then blend very well with 3 or 4 cups water. it should be smooth.
pour in a jar and keep covered in the fridge.
use whenever required.
stays good for 4-5 days.
Wow u read my mind.I hate regular milk too can’t bear the smell even when I am boiling it. lovely almond milk. First time to your space loving it glad to know you Dassana
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Almost like coconut milk preparation. And you can use all the products too.
I never thought of almond milk… cool idea ..btw i have never tried soy milk also… jus curious r u allergic to milk products…
i have a slight lactose intolerance to milk but not milk prodcuts. i make nut milks as a part of my vegan living. even before going vegan i would never have plain milk, and just very little milk with tea.
the almond milk looks so delicious and inviting that I am craving some post my tummy full dinner!
Very healthy drink
pictures looks great !