My love for DIY nut milk has been very well documented, what can I say, I love tasty things. So I thought a nut milk video, with one of my favorite recipes was in order!

Store bought nut milks are not only expensive- $5.00 a carton- but full of sugar too. Next time you’re in a supermarket have a gander at the ingredients, and you’ll notice sugar is the star of the show. Although I would agree that store bought nut milk is better than cow’s milk, why not take your milk needs out of the hands of big industry and into your own?!

Coconut, hazelnut and pistachios, when combined make for a lusciously satisfying culinary experience! And the artistry that is homemade nut milk, is that they are completely custom; your milk, your choice! I chose to use vanilla to enhance my flavors, but cardamom and cinnamon often find themselves well place in any homemade milk endeavor.

Generally I don’t sweeten my creation, I save this step for later, because I employ my milk for savory and sweet dishes; however, if you are using yours exclusively for candied use, coconut sugar, raw honey and Medjool dates are the most common sweetening agents.

The recipe for all nut milks is the same, it’s a ratio of 1 part nuts to 3 parts water, and the amount of sweetness is up to you; nevertheless, I would err on the side of caution- you can always add, but removing proves rather challenging.

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I’m one of the batty few who will make a latte deep in the dead of summer, I am a creature of habit; and I have a very hard time breaking from routine despite the piercing heat! But a nutrient deficient latte this ain’t- I’ll leave that to the big chains; this latte is made with nuts which means it’s brimming with phytosterols, which known for reducing the risk of developing heart disease. And calcium, oh this latte is full of bone loving calcium! In fact hazelnuts are second only to Brazil nuts in their calcium content; and because nuts are positively amazing, this sipper comes complete with monounsaturated fats. So you see why this latte is better than the rest.

For those days when the humidex is off the charts, steep two tea bags of your choice in hot nut milk, refrigerate until cool and remove the tea bags for a latte of the iced variety!

Dairy Free Milk Alternatives ~ Coconut, Pistachio, Hazelnut Chai Latte

2 Chai tea bags

2 cups coconut, pistachio, hazelnut milk

1 tsp raw honey

1 tsp coconut oil

On the stove top, bring the nut milk to a simmer, add the tea bags and remove from the heat. Allow the tea bags to steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the warmed Chai milk to a blender. Add the coconut oil and raw honey. Blend on high for 2 minutes; and enjoy your latte!

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