We all love our coffee. Even more so, we love coffee paired with creamy milk, its right hand companion. Yet, you do not have to add dairy to concoct a perfect cappuccino, latte, and the like. There are the most irresistible vegan coffee drinks out there that will make you forget dairy even existed.
First, it is important to recognize the abundance of stellar dairy alternatives out there. There are a few main milk alternative staples to note. These are all easy to find in grocery stores or even make yourself! Flavors and sweetness levels do vary for each. Nonetheless, each milk alternative ideally fits some of the most popular coffee drinks. They all taste delicious in a variety of coffee recipes.
Almond Milk
This may be the most popular nut milk. It comes from soaking almonds in water with salt then blending them. This mixture is strained, and voila, almond milk! The natural sweetness and butteriness of almonds do wonderfully paired with coffee. Almond milk is also a rich source of nutrients. It naturally contains lots of vitamin E, an antioxidant known to protect and support skin health.
Soy Milk
Soy milk might be the first dairy-free milk to debut in coffee shops. It comes from a similar process to almond milk. Soybeans are soaked in water over time. After, they are ground, boiled, and then strained. This creates creamy milk that is very sustainable. Enjoyed by cultures across Asia for centuries, soy milk has an abundance of nutritional value. It is plentiful in potassium and it gives a nice protein boost too. Soy milk contains just as much protein as cow’s milk. This makes it a wonderful addition to any vegan or vegetarian diet.
Coconut Milk
Who wants a bit of vacation in their cup? Coconut milk is a delicious tropical delight. Coconut milk derives from the pulp of a mature coconut. Two types of the product come from the pulp; there is coconut cream and coconut milk. Usually the former is found in a can, while the latter is more commonly found in a carton. The difference between the two is in volume and fat content. Nonetheless, both create a refreshing and naturally full-bodied beverage. This lends a nice texture to many coffee beverages. Also, coconut milk is naturally abundant in lauric acid, which acts as an antifungal, antiviral, AND antioxidant in the body. Talk about keeping sickness away!
Oat Milk
Oat milk is the new kid on the block. It grew in immense popularity as it is the most allergen-free of the dairy-free milk alternatives. Oat milk is also very easy and affordable to make at home. All you need is oats, water, and additional flavors if you desire! The nutritional benefits of oat milk are fantastic as well. Oat milk is a soluble fiber packed milk alternative. This makes it super gut-friendly! But, what matters may be the most with coffee is flavor. The natural thickness of oat milk allows it to steam and froth well. This makes for a really delicious latte.
Now that we set up our foundation on the fundamental dairy-milk alternatives, let’s dive into the most irresistible vegan coffee drinks around!
Amaretto Flat White
This nutty coffee drink lets almond milk shine. The already naturally occurring almond flavor of the milk is accentuated by the addition of amaretto. This Italian liqueur is both bitter and sweet. The double almond combination brings out the nuttiness and chocolate flavors of coffee. The flat white preparation fits almond milk perfectly, as it foams a little less than your average cow milk. This produces a beverage that is a super ideal as an afternoon pick me up!
What you’ll need:
- 2 shots of espresso
- ½ cup of unsweetened almond milk
- A tablespoon of amaretto liqueur
- A teaspoon of honey
- Cacao powder (optional)
Method:
- Brew espresso into a cappuccino cup
- In the meantime, froth your almond milk. Make sure you produce roughly an inch of foam
- Add honey and liqueur into your espresso. Stir well to combine.
- Pour in your milk gently to preserve a thin foam layer on top of your coffee.
- Top with cacao powder.
- Your flat white is served!
Soy Vanilla Mocha Cold Brew
Soy milk shines with a little bit of vanilla flavoring. Oftentimes, soy milk is hard to properly heat, as it does have the potential to curdle. Despite this, soy milk still makes a yummy coffee. In this recipe, cold brew is enhanced with a little bit of chocolate. This creates an instantly tasty mocha beverage. Wait, there’s more! The addition of fresh vanilla bean soy milk makes the entire difference. The body of soy milk unveils a truly luscious and delicious iced coffee.
What you’ll need:
- ¾ cup of chocolate cold brew
- ⅓ cup of unsweetened soy milk
- Half a vanilla bean pod
- 2 teaspoons of cane sugar or honey
- Ice
Method:
- Make cold brew (find our chocolate cold brew here)
- In a small saucepan, heat soy milk over low heat. Scrape in the vanilla bean from the pod. Then, add in the pod itself.
- Add in sugar. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Take in the aromas! Make sure to taste your soy milk for desired sweetness as it cooks. Set aside when done.
- Fill a tall glass or to-go cup with ice. Add in cold brew.
- Remove the vanilla pod from soy milk. Then, carefully pour vanilla soy milk over your iced cold brew.
- Enjoy!
Coconut Caramel Cream Frappe
This frappe takes you on a coffee vacation. The key ingredient of coconut milk gives this drink amazing texture. In this recipe, we use a can of regular coconut milk, which includes the cream. This lends it a fuller body and creamy texture. With the addition of caramel, this drink becomes an idyllic treat, stirring up childhood nostalgia for good ole diner milkshakes. But, this frappe is actually a lot healthier. You can easily make this drink with leftover coffee or a cold brew!
What you’ll need:
- ½ cup of black coffee or cold brew
- Half can of coconut milk (6-7 oz)
- 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce (plus a teaspoon for garnish)
- Whipped cream
- Coconut flakes
- 2 cups of ice
Method:
- Combine coffee, coconut milk, caramel, and ice to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy
- Pour into a glass of choice. Top with whipped cream, coconut flakes, and remaining caramel sauce!
Toasted Coconut Latte
This may be the healthy candy bar of coffee drinks. There is something special about the flavor of toasted coconut. It is nutty, sweet, and downright delicious. A little bit of brown sugar and cinnamon turn this latte into something special. This recipe features carton coconut milk, which has a body more like regular milk. It thus froths similarly to whole milk, providing you with a proper foamy latte.
What you’ll need:
- 2 shots of espresso
- A teaspoon of dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (plus more for garnish)
- ½ cup of coconut milk
- A tablespoon of toasted coconut
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Method:
- First, prep your cup. Rub the teaspoon of honey equally around the rim of the cup.
- Pour toasted coconut flakes on a plate and spread them evenly. Using the ‘margarita’ method, place the cup’s rim into the flakes. Turn the cup clockwise, coating the rim with flakes.
- Now, brew your espresso into your cup.
- Meanwhile, froth your coconut milk. Make sure that you create at least 1-2 inches of foam.
- Add in brown sugar and cinnamon to your brewed espresso. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour coconut milk gently over the espresso mixture.
- Garnish with cinnamon. Enjoy!
Oat Milk Dirty Chai
There is something magical about the combination of oats and chai spice. Ayurvedic medicine has prized oats and spices for centuries. They are known to not only be flavorful but naturally energizing and gut-friendly. It is no wonder that substituting oat milk in your chai latte makes it taste a whole lot better. This recipe incorporates espresso, giving it the name dirty chai. These spices will surely wake you up, even on the most sluggish of mornings!
What you’ll need:
- 2 shots of espresso (depending on caffeine content desired)
- ⅓ cup of chai concentrate
- ½ cup of oat milk
- Dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg
Method:
- Heat chai concentrates in a saucepan over low heat until it almost reaches a boil. Remove from heat.
- Brew espresso. While it brews, begin to froth oat milk to desired consistency
- Pour hot concentrate in your cup, along with your espresso. Stir well to combine.
- Add in frothed oat milk.
- Enjoy with a sprinkle of cinnamon and/or nutmeg on top!
Do you have a favorite dairy-free milk? Let us know what your preference is – we love them all! We also would love to hear how our coffee recipes inspired you to try out a new dairy free milk recipe. Don’t be afraid to send us a comment below!
