Vegetable "milk" in summer coffee drinks

Plant-based milks have become more and more popular in recent years, so I have prepared 4 recipes for summer coffee drinks with alternative milks that will please not only vegans.

The benefits of plant-based drinks in summer coffee drinks

Plant milks are a great alternative to traditional cow's milk, which more and more people are replacing and no wonder too. Not only are they suitable for vegans and lactose intolerant people alike, they also offer new and interesting flavours that add a certain unusualness to your coffee and bring a whole new twist to the classic cappuccino.

There are already a large number ofplant milks on the market, such as almond, soya, oat, coconut and rice milks. There are also milks made from hemp or peas, for example. Because there are so many varieties, they also have many flavors and textures, making coffee drinks unique.

Some milks, such as almond milk or soy milk, are lower in saturated fat compared to whole cow's milk and are also cholesterol-free, making them generally healthier and easier for the body to digest. This is a great advantage, especially in the summer months when it is recommended to consume a lighter diet that is less taxing on the body.

Plant milks are also available without added sugar, allowing the sweetness of coffee drinks to be influenced by the preferences of each coffee drinker.

Since plant-based drinks are already widespread and readily available in every supermarket,almost every coffee shop has included them in their menu, and nowadays many of them even offer them at no extra charge.

The benefits are really many, so let's show you a few recipes that you will surely love and will be a clear choice for you in summer.

Flat white with honey and almond milk

If you've never tried coffee with honey, now is the perfect time to try this plant-based flat white. In combination with almond milk, honey works perfectly. So let's show you the recipe.

For the preparation you will need:

espresso
almond milk
honey (if you're vegan, use maple syrup)
vanilla extract

The honey syrup is the first thing you need to make, as if you use regular honey it will freeze in your iced drink and just fall to the bottom. The preparation is easy. Add the honey and vanilla extract to a small saucepan of water and heat over low heat until the honey has dissolved. Remove from the heat, let cool and store in a sealable jar.

Now you can start preparing the drink itself. First, make a double espresso. Then whisk in the almond milk. But be careful not to let it foam and heat it up too much. Fill a glass with ice, add honey syrup on top of the espresso and finally add the frothed almond milk. If you like, you can top the coffee with honey.

Flat white with honey and almond milk. Source.

Espresso with rice milk and cinnamon

This recipe is simple but very tasty. It's kind of an easier version of the classic Horchata latte, which is especially popular in Latin America. But with this recipe you don't have to make your own Horchata, just swap it for rice milk, which works just as well.

For the recipe you will need:

espresso
rice milk
cinnamon

First, make some espresso in your coffee maker. Then prepare your rice milk, add a pinch of cinnamon and froth it up a little on the nozzle to let the cinnamon combine with the milk. Then pour the whipped milk into a larger glass with ice and add the espresso. Finally, you can sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and serve.

Espresso with rice milk and cinnamon. Source.

Coconut Frappuccino

The Frappuccino is a popular drink mainly thanks to the Starbucks chains, which have made it very very popular due to the many flavors you can find with them. But you can also prepare it from the comfort of your own home. It's not difficult, just have a blender hand y and you can create a delicious frappuccino with any flavour.

To make a coconut frappuccino you will need:

¼ cup shredded coconut
½ cup cold brew coffee (I recommend cold brew)
½ cup coconut milk
½ cup chocolate syrup
ice
whipped cream

First of all, toast your shredded coconut in a pan. Roughly 3-4 minutes to get it nicely golden and let it cool. Then get your blender ready and put the coconut milk, coffee, shredded coconut, chocolate syrup and ice into it and blend everything thoroughly. Pour the frappuccino into a tall glass and garnish with whipped cream and shredded coconut.

Espresso with vanilla and oat milk

The next recipe is a shaken espresso with vanilla flavour and oat milk, which is a very refreshing and tasty drink on hot summer days. And thanks to this recipe, you can enjoy it at home too.

For the preparation you will need:

espresso or filter coffee
oat milk
ice
vanilla extract or vanilla syrup
shaker

First of all, make your espresso or filter coffee, whichever you prefer. Put ice in a shaker and add a cup of coffee and vanilla extract and shake well. Then pour into a glass with ice and top up with oat milk.