Basic Homemade Dairy-Free Almond/Nut Milk

Posted by Dr. Lori Arnold

Basic Homemade Dairy-Free Almond/Nut Milk

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free, Paleo, Vegan

Ingredients: 

1 1/3 cups Organic RAW Almonds (or cashews)

4-8 cups Filtered Water

Optional:

1 Tbsp Pure Organic Vanilla Extract

1-2 packets Stevia

Special Appliances:

High-Powered Blender (like Vitamix or equivalent)

Nut Bag or Cheesecloth (I prefer Nut Bags… much easier, less messy)

Instructions:

Soak 1 1/3 cups RAW almonds in a bowl or container with plenty of filtered water, at room temperature for 12-18 hours. Soaking will make the almonds softer and more digestible and rinse off any potential chemicals.

Drain the almonds in a colander and rinse with fresh water.

Place the almonds in a high-powered blender. Add 4 cups filtered water and blend until the nuts are pulverized.

Strain through cheesecloth or a nut milk bag. If using cheesecloth, use a spoon to scrape the almond meal around and allow as much liquid to drain through.

Transfer to a glass jar or pitcher and refrigerate, covered for 4-5 days. You can use the remaining pulp in hot steel cut gluten-free oats cereal, fruit or other great vegan recipes. You can even dry the pulp in the oven and use it as almond meal, or freeze in a Ziploc bag for future use.

For a little sweetness, add 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract and 1-2 packets Stevia.

Modifications:

Almond Milk with Coconut Water: Soak almonds in regular water, but use 4 cups coconut water to blend with soaked almonds.

Almond Milk sweetened with Dates: Follow same directions above, but blend soaked almonds with water and 8 pitted dates. Add 1 Tbsp Vanilla for extra flavor.

Makes:  4-6 Servings