Let’s be real, dairy isn’t everyone’s friend. The good thing is that there are plenty of milk alternatives that are all delicious. But, walking down the milk aisle can be overwhelming as you try to figure out which milk is the best for you. Not even just for your everyday milk needs but also for your coffee. Keep reading along to find out which alternative milk is the best for your morning coffee and find some delicious recipes along the way.
Top Alternative Milks for Coffee
Not every alternative milk is made the same. Each one has its own set of health benefits and different tastes. While they are all delicious in their own right, sometimes the key to a great cup of coffee is mixing your milk with the right syrups and the right temperature to make your cup of coffee amazing.
Almond Milk — Almond milk is probably one the most popular alternative milk choices to use for coffee. It doesn’t have an overbearing almond taste and can usually come sweetened or not sweetened. This milk is packed with vitamin E, and vitamin D, and still has calcium. This milk is perfect for froth if you like hot lattes and has a smooth consistency if you like to enjoy your lattes iced. You can’t go wrong with this nut milk choice.
Oat Milk — Oat milk has been on the rise in the barista world, mainly because its beautiful thick consistency makes it perfect to froth for a latte as it makes a thick foam. This milk is high in fiber, jam-packed with vitamins, and helps to regulate your blood sugar levels. On top of all the healthy benefits, it has a rich and creamy consistency and a subtle flavor so you can use it in anything.
Coconut Milk — Coconuts are amazing and so good for you just as they are, so of course, coconut milk is the same. Coconut milk helps to strengthen your immune system, balances your electrolytes, and aids in weight loss among a long list of other benefits. This creamy milk is delightful if you want a light and airy option to sip on with your espresso. Coconut milk is thinner than other nut milk, so it won’t froth the way you might be used to. It does give a small layer of foam but if you are a cappuccino lover then you might want to try almond or oat milk instead.
Hemp Milk — Hemp milk is full of omega-3 and omega-6 which help with your brain health and if you partner that with your wake-me-up cup of coffee, you are set for the day! Hemp milk may be an acquired taste for some as it is very different than other alternative milk options. This thick and flavorful milk choice is great if you like your coffee to taste more earthy than sweet.
Did you find what milk you want to try from that list? Perfect! Here are some delightful and refreshing lattes to try with your newfound milk.
Vanilla Almond Iced Latte
The almond taste in almond milk is pretty subtle for the most part but for this recipe we are going to bump up that almond flavor so it’s a little more forward.
For this recipe, you will need a vanilla almond syrup which you can make from scratch at home or buy pre-made from a grocery store. To make this syrup at home, bring 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil until the sugar is dissolved. Once dissolved, add in one teaspoon of vanilla extract and one teaspoon of almond extract. Wait until your syrup has cooled before using.
If you are wanting to just have this syrup pre-made, buy your favorite vanilla syrup from the store and add in a couple of drops of almond extract with it — simple as that. Now let's get to brewing!
Ingredients:
- Real Good Coffee Co Espresso
- 2oz of vanilla almond syrup
- Almond milk
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Sliced almonds (optional)
How To Make:
- In a large shot glass pour in two ounces of vanilla almond syrup and brew a Real Good Coffee espresso pod over it. (The strength level is your personal preference).
- Stir together your syrup and espresso.
- Fill up your glass of choice with ice and pour your espresso and syrup over the ice.
- Top off your glass with almond milk and give everything a good stir.
If you want to make your coffee look like something right off of Instagram — add some whipped cream and sprinkle some sliced almonds on top for an eye-catching beverage.
(Don’t forget to tag us @Realgoodcoffeeco )
Lavender Honey Oat Milk Latte
Lavender and oat milk were just made for each other. The creaminess of the oat milk is the perfect balance of the light sweet lavender syrup. (You will need either a homemade lavender syrup or store-bought lavender for this recipe.)
Ingredients:
- Real Good Coffee Co Espresso
- 1oz lavender syrup
- 1oz honey
- Oat milk
How to Make:
- In your mug of choice add one ounce of lavender syrup and one ounce of honey.
- Brew your espresso into your mug and mix your espresso and syrup until the honey has completely dissolved.
- Froth your oat milk until you get the desired amount of foam.
- Pour your steamed oat milk into your mug and garnish it with some dried lavender.
Brown Sugar Coconut Iced Latte
You would have never suspected brown sugar and coconut to go together but this iced latte is a refreshing sip! It’s wonderful because it isn’t too overwhelmingly sweet but has just the right amount of flavor to make your taste buds wake up.
Ingredients:
- Real Good Coffee Co Espresso
- 1tbsp brown sugar
- Coconut milk
- Cinnamon (optional)
How To Make:
- In a large shot glass, pour in one tablespoon of brown sugar and brew your espresso into the glass.
- Stir the brown sugar and espresso together until the sugar is dissolved.
- Fill your glass of choice with ice and pour your brown sugar and espresso mixture into the glass.
- Top off with coconut milk and give everything a good stir.
- If you want a little extra spice then sprinkle on some cinnamon.
Iced Dirty Chai Latte with Hemp Milk
Hemp milk has a wonderful earthy taste to it so of course, we have to make this into a dirty chai latte! The best part is that it is wonderful iced OR hot!
Ingredients:
- Real Good Coffee Co Espresso
- Chai latte concentrate
- Hemp milk
- Cinnamon
How to Make:
- Brew espresso into a shot glass.
- Fill your glass of choice up to the top with ice and then pour in the shot of espresso.
- Pour chai concentrate up to the halfway mark of the glass and then top off the rest with hemp milk.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon on top to add extra flavor.
Which recipe are you going to try?
Don’t forget to tag us @RealGoodCoffeeCo
