How to Make Flavored Nut Milks

Make your own flavored nut milks like chocolate hazelnut and cinnamon cashew simply and easily at home.

When it comes to variety, milk alternatives have certainly caught up with and perhaps even surpassed their dairy counterparts.  They’re available in an extensive range of types and flavors; and judging by the sheer number of choices available at the supermarket, an increasing number of people are pouring themselves tall, cool glasses of non-milks.

Almond and other lactose-free beverages now occupy as much shelf space as, or more than dairy milk. Whether you are lactose-intolerant, concerned about artificial growth hormones in milk, or just looking for something different, milk alternatives are becoming an increasingly appealing choice. One of the easiest to make at home are nut milks, and while there are a number of good brands of nut milks on the market, it takes very little effort to make your own unique flavored nut milk varieties at home.

Making milk from nuts is a simple process requiring, at its most basic, raw nuts, filtered water, a blender, and a nut bag or fine mesh strainer.  But don't be afraid to look beyond the ubiquitous almond to intensify the flavor and increase the nutritional content of your homemade nut milks.

Intensifying Flavor:
While almonds are a popular choice for making nut milk, don’t count out other varieties of nuts, particularly cashews and hazelnuts.

Naturally sweet cashews have a very mild and neutral taste and make a  rich and creamy nut milk with a hint of spicy sweetness when combined with honey and cinnamon.

The stronger taste of hazelnuts is quite distinct and when paired with cocoa powder, the resulting chocolate hazelnut milk becomes more like dessert; every sip soft, smooth, and soothing.

The Nutrient Boost:

Soaking the nuts ahead of time is an important step.  The soaking process neutralizes enzyme inhibitors and improves digestibility and nutrient absorption.

Try adding a few extras to your nut milks to increase the nutritional  benefits as well. I like to use both coconut water and chia seeds.

Coconut water is the juice found in young, green coconuts and is naturally hydrating since it's a source of essential electrolytes: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphate as well as small amounts of many essential amino acids.

Chia is a gluten-free seed that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Using Chia seeds provides your nut milks with extra fiber, calcium and magnesium.

Here's my basic nut milk formula along with the chocolate hazelnut and cinnamon cashew variations.  Drink it straight up, over ice, pour it on your cereal, use it in smoothies, or however you fancy.

Continue to Content

Yield: 3-4 cups

How to Make Flavored Nut Milks with Chocolate Hazelnut and Honey Cinnamon Cashew Variations

Prep Time: 8 hours

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes

How to make your own flavored nut milks at home.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts
• 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
• 2 cups cold filtered water
• 2 cups coconut water (or more filtered water)
• 1-2 Tablespoons raw honey or 4 pitted dates soaked in warm water for about 5 minutes
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ½ vanilla bean scraped
• 1 pinch fleur de sel or fine sea salt
• For Chocolate Hazelnut Variation: 2 Tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
• For Cinnamon Cashew Variation: 1 teaspoon of good quality ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Place the raw nuts in a medium bowl and cover with water. Set aside to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
2. Thoroughly rinse and drain the nuts. If the nuts have a skin, pop the skins off the nuts between your fingers after soaking.
3. Place soaked nuts in blender, along with the chia seeds water, coconut water, sweetener of choice, vanilla, salt, and cocoa powder or cinnamon if using.
4. Blend to combine, let sit for about 10 minutes for the chia seeds to expand.
5. After 10 minutes blend for another two to three minutes, or until you have a thick beverage.
6. Strain the nut milk mixture through a fine mesh sieve or nut milk bag.
7. Store the nut milk in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Shake well before serving to reincorporate solids.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 87mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 5g

Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please rate it, leave a comment below, or Pin it for later.

Sylvie

Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.