Almond milk is a delicious and healthy alternative to cow's milk for those looking to reduce their dairy consumption. Almond drink is also popular among vegans and people who are lactose intolerant. However, commercial versions may contain unwanted additives and preservatives. Fortunately, it is easy and inexpensive to make your own almond drink from raw organic almonds.
Here is a simple recipe to make your own almond drink at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of raw organic almonds
- 4 cups of water
- A pinch of sea salt (optional)
- Natural sweetener (optional)
Instructions:
- Soak the raw organic almonds in water overnight or for at least 6 hours. This will allow the almonds to become softer and easier to blend.
- Drain and rinse the almonds with cold water.
- Put the soaked almonds in a blender with 4 cups of water. If you want a creamier almond drink, use less water. If you want a lighter almond drink, use more water.
- Blend everything at high speed for about 2 minutes, or until the almonds are completely ground and the drink is smooth.
- Pour the almond drink into a sieve lined with a cheesecloth or an almond milk bag. Press the mixture to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Add a pinch of sea salt and a natural sweetener if you wish. You can use maple syrup, honey, or dates to sweeten your almond drink.
- Transfer the almond drink into an airtight glass bottle and store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Almonds can be used with or without their skin to make your homemade almond drink. However, most people prefer to use blanched almonds to achieve a smoother and less grainy almond drink.
If you use unblanched almonds to make your almond drink, you may notice that the texture will be grainier and there will be more residue in the strainer. Additionally, the almond skins can give a slight bitterness to the drink.
If you want to get a smoother almond drink without residue, it is best to use blanched almonds. You can easily blanch your almonds by soaking them in boiling water for one minute, then rinsing them with cold water. The skin should come off easily when you pinch them between your fingers.
However, if you prefer to use unblanched almonds, it will still work very well and produce a nutritious and delicious almond milk. It's a matter of personal preference.
There you go, your homemade almond drink is ready to be enjoyed! You can also use the leftover pressed almonds to make pastries or smoothies. Making your own almond drink is easy, economical, and allows you to control the ingredients you use. Try it today and enjoy all the benefits of almonds!