Many people are now choosing to forgo dairy and have transitioned to non-dairy milk beverages. There are a variety of milk alternatives to choose from. Let’s explore some that you can actually make at home.

Rice Milk

Soy milk was one of the first non-dairy beverages to show up on grocery store shelves. The next was rice milk, which is a great option for those with nut allergies or lactose intolerance. This is shelf-stable and can last a good while once opened and refrigerated.

It is possible to make rice milk with just a few ingredients. You can make rice milk with just long-grain white rice, water, and a pinch of salt. If you like your milk a little sweet, you can add a dried date or a spoonful of maple syrup. For nice flavor, add a drop of pure vanilla extract.

You simply soak the rice until it softens slightly. Then, add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and give it a good whirl. Strain the liquid through a thin cotton cloth into a bowl. A clean tee shirt will do the trick.

Rice milk is great for breakfast cereal or making chai tea.

Almond Milk

Like any homemade milk alternative, you can make almond milk fairly affordable at home. When you make your own, it can be organic and won’t have additives or preservatives.

Almond milk is lower glycemic than rice milk, for those watching their carbohydrate intake. As well, it is a bit creamier than rice milk. That makes it a good option for adding to your morning coffee or for baking with.

So, you are probably wondering how to make almond milk. You simply soak raw almonds for a couple of hours to remove the phytic acid and bitterness. Then, rinse the almonds well, add them with freshwater and a drop of vanilla extract, if desired, to a high-speed blender and blend well. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth into a bowl.

There is a bonus to making your own almond milk. The pulp that is in the cloth can be dried and used as almond flour for gluten-free baking recipes.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is naturally sweet and rich. Making your own will definitely save you money. And, you don’t need to wrestle with fresh coconut, unless you really want to.

You can make coconut milk using packaged, shredded, unsweetened coconut flakes. The only other ingredient you need is water. Like other non-dairy beverages, you blend the coconut and water until well combined and strain the liquid through a clean cloth.

Coconut milk is pretty versatile. Add it to coffee or tea. Bake with it. Or, make cream-based soups and curry dishes with it.

Summary

As you can see, there are some easy and inexpensive non-dairy milks you can make at home. It doesn’t stop with the ones mentioned above. You can also make brown rice milk, cashew milk, hazelnut milk, and oat milk. These all will store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Enjoy!