It's easier than you think to make homemade almond milk, and my version is extra special with a touch of sweetness and warm spices that are perfect for the cooler days of fall and winter. This Homemade Honey Sweetened Spiced Almond Milk is a must try along with my Ayurvedic Golden Milk.
My First Time Making Homemade Almond Milk
I was thumbing through one of my favorite cookbooks... Food 52's Vegan. In it, I came across a homemade almond milk recipe that I wanted to try. I had always heard how easy it was to make and honestly was embarrassed (as a food blogger) to admit that until then, I'd never made it. I mean, store bought almond milk was serving it's purpose, it was easy and tasted...ok.
Luckily, I had a cheesecloth hidden in the back of my utensil draw and almonds in the cabinet. I threw a cup of those babies in some water to soak overnight.
The following day, I woke up early so I could get a head start on the milk and have it for breakfast. I grabbed my trusty little Vitamix and dumped the almonds, some water, a few dates and vanilla extract into the blender. As it was blending, I could already smell and see the difference. The aroma of the vanilla and dates sent me into a trance. I watched it become thick and frothy in just one minute flat. When I opened the lid, the smell was heavenly. I took a scoop of the frothy milk and tasted it...OH MY GOD! This was not the almond milk I had once known.
It was time to strain it through the cheesecloth. As the milk flowed through the cheesecloth and dripped down my fingers, I felt like I was being transported back in time, to a farmhouse where the early morning breakfast was being prepared from scratch. That simple act transformed me, even if just for a few minutes and I loved it!
Best Ways To Enjoy Homemade Almond Milk
Currently, I use my homemade almond milk in teas, with cereals and granola and I drink it (or should I say, gulp it) with my favorite cookies. Smoothies have taken on a new meaning. Even the kids love it! It's that good!
In literally less than 15 minutes, you can have a delicious batch of healthy almond milk made and chillin' in the fridge!
How To Sweeten Almond Milk
There are so many ways to sweeten up and even spice up the flavor of almond milk. I love using dates as a sweetener, but for this recipe, I naturally sweeten up the milk using honey. It's the perfect fall or winter drink, with the warmth of some pumpkin pie spice (which contains cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg) as a really special addition.
I hope you give this homemade almond milk recipe a try!
Homemade Honey Sweetened Spiced Almond Milk
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole unsalted almonds
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Place almonds and 1 cup of the water in a glass jar or bowl to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Empty water from the almonds.
- In a high powered blender combine the almonds, remaining 3 cups of water, vanilla extract, spice honey and salt.
- Blend for about 1-2 minutes until thick and frothy and all the almonds are blended and broken down.
- Place the nut milk bag over or secure a cheesecloth (using a rubber band) to a glass bowl or container and pour the milk through the strainer a little at a time squeezing the milk through the pulp (you may have to empty the pulp once or twice).
- Store the liquid in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days.
I prefer to focus on quality ingredients from a variety of sources that work in tandem to promote optimal health. Nutrition calculations may not reflect these valuable interactions. However, I understand certain values can be helpful to some. Please note these calculations are merely estimates. Values will vary depending on modifications, brands used, and portion size. Should you require specific information, it's best to consult with a dietitian or qualified healthcare provider.
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