Love almond milk and want to use it in your coffee? Here’s how to do it! This non-dairy milk isn’t the clear favorite when it comes to coffee drinks, since its texture and flavor are sometimes lacking. But if you’re an almond milk fan: you can make it work! There are a few different ways to make a killer latte using almond milk: both hot or iced! Here’s what to do. The best non-dairy latte? Try an Oat Milk Latte.
Almond milk in coffee: pros and cons
When it comes to a non-dairy milk for coffee, oat milk is the clear favorite. Its creamy texture and milk-like flavor makes it ideal: plus, it steams and froths like a charm. When it comes to using almond milk in coffee, there are a few pros and cons.
Cons: Almond milk has a watery texture that’s not as creamy as dairy and other non-dairy milks. It doesn’t steam well, and doesn’t get as frothy as oat milk. It also has a strong nutty flavor that’s easily detected in coffee. Pros: Almond milk is easy to find at the store. Its nutty flavor can add a nice nuance to coffee drinks when made correctly. It works in hot coffee, but it’s even better in an iced coffee or iced latte.
Option 1: Make almond milk coffee: hot latte
Does almond milk work in a hot latte? Yes! Cold almond milk can curdle in hot coffee. But if you heat it and froth it before adding, it makes a tasty latte. The flavor is very nutty and it won’t be nearly as creamy as a traditional latte: but it’s delicious in its own way. Here are the main steps:
Step 1: Make a double shot of espresso (go to How to Make Espresso for details).Step 2: Froth ½ cup almond milk (see below for details).Step 3: Add 2 teaspoons sweetener to the espresso, then pour in the steamed almond milk.
Tip: It’s best to add hint of sweetener when using almond milk in coffee, even if you don’t typically sweeten your coffee drinks. Almond milk has an almost bitter flavor compared to milk, which is lighter and sweeter.
Can you froth almond milk?
The most difficult part of making a hot almond milk coffee? How to froth almond milk. Different brands of almond milk froth differently, so you’ll need to experiment to find what works best. The best type of milk to froth almond milk? Buy Barista almond milk, which froths in a more similar way to dairy milk. But you can also use the regular variety! This is what we used here; you can see from the photos that it gets lightly frothy.
Here’s how to froth almond milk:
Heat the milk: Place the milk in a saucepan and heat it to scalding or 150 degrees Fahrenheit (measure using a food thermometer if possible). This is hot to the touch, but not simmering. How to froth with a milk frother (easiest and best method): Place the milk in a tall container. Hold the container at an angle and turn on the frother. Move the frother up and down until foamy bubbles form, about 20 seconds or so. Tap the container on the counter to break down any large bubbles.How to froth with a French press: Add the scalding milk to the French press and pump using quick, short plunges until foamy bubbles form, about 25 times (try not to overwhip). Pour into a pitcher and tap it on the counter to break down large bubbles. You’ll get best results with 1 cup of milk for two drinks. Whisk method: Add the scalding milk to a bowl and use a whisk to vigorously whisk it until foamy bubbles form. Pour into a pitcher and tap it on the counter to break down large bubbles.
Option 2: Make almond milk iced coffee: iced latte
Almond milk works even better in cold coffee! The texture and flavor are more seamless in a cold drink. Popular choices are iced coffee with almond milk or cold brew with almond milk. Or, try it as an Iced Almond Milk Latte! It’s delicious sweetened with a little vanilla syrup (or even brown sugar syrup or pure maple syrup). Here are the basic steps:
Step 1: Make a double shot of espresso (go to How to Make Espresso for details).Step 3: Froth ¼ cup almond milk by shaking it in a covered jar or whisking until frothy.Step 4: Pour the espresso and 2 to 3 teaspoons syrup over ice. Add milk and serve.
Other non-dairy milks for coffee
There are lots of great non-dairy milks to use for coffee besides almond milk! Here are some favorites:
Oat milk: The best non-dairy milk for coffee! It has a creamy texture and steams and froths the closest to a dairy milkSoy milk: Also has a very creamy texture! The soy aftertaste makes it less desirable for coffee drinksCashew milk: Has a very creamy texture and a milder flavor than almond milk. (We haven’t experimented with it much in coffee, so let us know your thoughts in the comments below.)
More coffee drinks
There are so many great coffee drinks you can make into non-dairy and vegan drinks! Here are some favorites:
Try an Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Espresso, Oat Milk Latte or Almond Milk LatteGo for an Iced Vanilla Latte or Iced CappuccinoGo green with an Iced Matcha LatteMake easy Cowboy Coffee (aka, how to make coffee without a maker)Try Iced Coffee, Cold Brew, Red Eye Coffee, or French Press Iced CoffeeOpt for a Vegan Chai Latte
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2 espresso shots (2 ounces) 4 ounces (½ cup) fresh almond milk* 2 teaspoons simple syrup, vanilla syrup, or pure maple syrup
For the iced latte:
2 shots espresso (2 ounces or ¼ cup) 2 to 3 teaspoons simple syrup, vanilla syrup, or pure maple syrup ¼ cup almond milk Ice
