Organic Almond Milk

Most brands of store bought almond milk contain very little almond and plenty of thickeners.  Plus, it can be expensive.  Fortunately, with minimal prep and time you can make homemade almond milk.

This recipe will result in thick almond milk.  It is more the consistency of whole milk than non-fat milk.  It is also a larger recipe since we use almond milk regularly.  I have seen recipes that use less almonds, like this one and some that add vanilla and are thicker, like this one.

I like mine to start out unsweetened and plain.

Organic Almond Milk

You will need:

3 cups organic raw almonds

6 cups water (plus water for soaking)

Pinch of salt

Step 1: Soak the almonds in 6 cups of water at room temperature for 12 - 24 hours.  

I just soak them the night before and make the almond milk the next day.

Step 2: Drain and rinse soaked almonds.

Step 3: Blend nuts, 6 cups water, and a pinch of salt in blender or large food processor. 

I do this in two rounds since it puffs up a bit when blended and I would rather not be concerned about overflow.  Also, I don't own a blender and food processors have a low fill line.  Someday sweet Vitamix, you will be mine.

You may notice I play a little fast and loose with the max fill liquid line...

Step 4: Place a flour sack dishtowel, cheese cloth, or nut bag (no really... there is such a thing as a nut bag) over the top of your pitcher and pour the blended mixture in  (Personally, I just buy the reusable paper towels from the dollar store... I'm classy).

Step 5: Twist the top of your cloth and squeeze out the liquid.  

Set the pulp aside for use with other recipes.  Did you know you can use the left over nuts in muffins, smoothies, or this Lemon Bar Nut Crust?   Just make the honey sweetened lemon bars with the nut crust.  You will not regret it.

Repeat this process until you have milked all the nuts.  (And now I'm giggling).

And now, Enjoy!  Put this in your coffee, use as a substitute for whole milk in recipes, add some of my Homemade Chocolate Syrup and a shot of coffee for a seriously delicious non-dairy mocha.