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Learn how to make Unsweetened Almond Milk from scratch! It's a simple, nutritious homemade staple that's perfect for dairy-free cooking and baking.

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Almond milk has gained massive popularity as a dairy-free and vegan-friendly milk alternative. It's a versatile staple perfect for cooking, baking and making creamy sips. However, not all Almond Milk is made the same. Making it at home is an easy, low-cost way to enjoy the goodness of pure Almond Milk without all the additives and sweeteners.

Light yet creamy with a subtle nutty flavour, Homemade Almond Milk can add that extra touch to enhance dairy-free drinks and dishes. Not to mention the nutritional value it adds.

How to Make Unsweetened Almond Milk

Making Homemade Unsweetened Almond Milk is actually quite simple, as long as you have the right tools! It only takes a few minutes when it comes to hands-on prep. Follow the steps below or watch the video!

What You Need

Equipment

• Blender. Although a blender is necessary for smooth, creamy almond milk, even a low-power blender will work!
• Nut Milk Bag or Cheesecloth. Especially if you're using whole, unblanched almonds, you will need to squeeze your Almond Milk through a Nut Milk Bag or cheesecloth. However, I find that a proper Nut Milk Bag gives the smoothest results.
• Bowl / Large Measuring Cup. You will need a measuring cup or bowl to strain the milk into. You will also need it if soaking your almonds.
• Clean Jar for Storing. If you aren't using up all your almond milk right away, you will need a clean, airtight jar for storing.
• Bowl / Sealable Container for Soaking. If you are soaking your almonds before blending, you will need a bowl or container to soak them in.

Ingredients

• Whole Raw Almonds. Organically grown whole almonds are always best to get the purest milk. However, any type of raw almonds will work.
• Filtered / Spring Water. For the best taste and purest quality, using filtered or spring water is best.

Steps 

Step 1: Soak Almonds

If you have a powerful enough blender, this step can be skipped. However, if you have time, soaking your almonds before blending will yield the creamiest results. It can also be beneficial for those with digestive and gut imbalances. Adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or kelp powder can help further aid in digestibility and nutrient absorption.

To soak:

1. Place your almonds in a sealable glass container and add enough water to cover and submerge the almonds completely.
2. Optionally, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or kelp powder.
3. Seal the container and place in the fridge to soak for 8 - 12 hours. You can leave your almonds soaking for up to 24 hours. However, soaking for 24 hours or longer can reduce the shelf-life of your almond milk. 

Another option is to give them a quick soak in hot water for 10 - 20 minutes. 

Step 2: Rinse

Once your almonds have soaked, strain out the soaking water and give them a good rinse.

Step 3: Blend

Add the almonds and fresh water to your blender jug, cover and blend for up to 60 seconds, depending on your blender. Once you get a smooth blend, your milk is ready to strain. I should mention having pulp in your almond milk is completely normal. No matter how powerful the blender or how long you blend, you will always end up with some almond pulp to strain out. That's why using a quality cheesecloth or nut milk bag is crucial in making perfectly smooth almond milk.

Step 4: Strain

Drape your Nut Milk Bag or cheesecloth over a bowl or measuring cup and pour your blended almond milk through. Make sure the top of the bag is closed, and squeeze the milk through the bottom.

How to Store Homemade Almond Milk

Store your Almond Milk in a clean, well-sealed jar (glass is best) in the fridge for 4 - 5 days. Since Homemade Almond Milk is prone to separation, I would avoid freezing.

How Long Does Homemade Almond Milk Last?

Homemade Almond Milk is best consumed within 4 - 5 days of making. Keeping your soaking time under 24 hours as well as storing your almond milk in a clean, well-sealed jar in the refrigerator can help to prevent it from spoiling too soon.

Tips to Make Homemade Almond Milk Perfectly 

1. Use organic raw almonds to make the most gut-friendly and nutritious Almond Milk. Also, using raw almonds is the key to making Almond milk! Roasted almonds are great for making nut butter, but they're not so great when it comes to milk.
2. Use a nut milk bag or cheesecloth to get the smoothest results. While in a pinch, I myself have used anything on hand, including a fine-mesh tea strainer, to make some Homemade Almond Milk (where there is will, there is a way!). However, as mentioned before, a well-made Nut Milk Bag is essential for making perfectly smooth and creamy Almond Milk.
3. Soak your almonds to make them softer and easier to blend. Especially if your blender isn't high-powered, soaking helps reduce blending time, creates less pulp and yields creamier results.
4. Less is more when it comes to Almond Milk. Unlike some homemade plant milks, more doesn't necessarily mean creamier. I find adding too many almonds can create more pulp than milk and can put more wear on your blender. From my experience, adding no more than 2 cups of almonds to 4 cups of water yields the creamiest results.

Ways to Use Homemade Unsweetened Almond Milk

From dairy-free cooking to cozy cuppas, you can use Homemade Unsweetened Almond Milk in any recipe that calls for milk. Here's a list of a few of my favourites.

• Almond Milk Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Creamy Beetroot Soup
• Dairy-Free Tomato Soup
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
• Avocado Moringa Smoothie
• Berry Beet Smoothie Bowl
• Caffein-Free Cinnamon Dolce Latte
• Naturally Coloured Icing
• Savoury Sweet Potato Muffins

More Homemade Dairy-Free Staples

• Homemade Tigernut Milk (Horchata De Chufa)
• All-Purpose Cashew Cream
• Quick Homemade Coconut Milk
• Homemade Cultured Cashew Yogurt
• Maple Vanilla Cashew Whipped Cream

If you try this Homemade Unsweetened Almond Milk recipe, let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and/or a rating below! And make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for more wildly nutritious recipes!

How to Make Unsweetened Almond Milk

Recipe By : Michelle McCowan

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Print Recipe

Light yet creamy with a subtle nutty flavour, Homemade Almond Milk can add that extra touch to enhance dairy-free drinks and dishes. Not to mention the nutritional value it adds.

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Watch Video

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Soaking Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Dietary DF, Soy Free, Sugar Free, Vegan

Season(s) All Seasons

Difficulty Moderate

Yield 4 Cups

Equipment

• Blender
• Nut Milk Bag / Cheesecloth
• Colander
• Bowl / Large Measuring Cup
• Bowl / Sealable Container for Soaking
• Clean Jar for Storing

Ingredients

  

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• ▢ ½ cup Raw Almonds (See notes to adjust creaminess)
• ▢ 4 cups Filtered / Spring Water (Plus Extra for Soaking)

Instructions

 

• If you have a powerful enough blender, this step can be skipped. However, soaking your almonds before blending will yield the creamiest results. It can also be beneficial for those with digestive and gut imbalances. Adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or kelp powder can help further aid in digestibility and nutrient absorption.

  To soak, place your almonds in a sealable glass container and add enough water to cover and submerge the almonds completely. Optionally, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or kelp powder. Seal the container and place in the fridge to soak for 8 - 12 hours. You can leave your almonds soaking for up to 24 hours. However, soaking for 24 hours or longer can reduce the shelf-life of your almond milk. 

  Another option is to give them a quick soak in hot water for 10 - 20 minutes. 
• Once your almonds have soaked, strain out the soaking water and give them a good rinse.
• Add the almonds and water to your blender jug, cover and blend for up to 60 seconds, depending on your blender. Once you get a smooth blend, your milk is ready to strain. I should mention having pulp in your almond milk is completely normal. No matter how powerful the blender or how long you blend, you will always end up with some almond pulp to strain out. That's why using a quality cheesecloth or nut milk bag is crucial in making perfectly smooth almond milk.
• Drape your Nut Milk Bag or cheesecloth over a bowl or measuring cup and pour your blended almond milk through. Make sure the top of the bag is closed, and squeeze the milk through the bottom.
• Store your Almond Milk in a clean, well-sealed jar (glass is best) in the fridge for 4 - 5 days.

Notes

You can adjust the creaminess of your Almond Milk by changing the almonds to water ratio. To make it thinner, you use less almonds. However, using less than ¼ cup of almonds per 4 cups of water would make it a little too watery. To make your Almond Milk creamier, add up to 2 cups of almonds per 4 cups of water. I find adding any more than that creates too much pulp and doesn't make it much creamier.

Watch the Video!

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cups | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 0.04IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Total Servings : 16

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