Walnut Cinnamon Milk

If you’re not making your nut milk yet, this is your opportunity to get on board. I promise, it’s not nearly as intense as it may seem. Not only is homemade nut milk insanely creamy and delicious, but it is cheaper, healthier, and better for the environment than store bought varieties.

Next time you’re at the grocery store, take a look at the nutrition labels on the various almond milks…cane sugar, carrageenan, natural flavor? Did you know that some Silk and Almond Breeze milks only contain 2% almonds? What's more? Although that $3.99 carton seems cheaper than $6.99 of raw almonds, the raw nuts actually produce more milk and are package free (especially when you get your nuts in the bulk foods section). Plus, if you've ever tried to buy legitimate nut milk (that is, with more than 2% nuts and less than 5 ingredients) a carton can cost you anywhere from $8 - $20 (gasp!).

Whether you are a homemade nut milk novice or devotee, we’re diving straight into the deep end here with walnut cinnamon milk (recipe below). This isn’t your basic almond milk; it’s warming for cooler months, doesn’t curdle in your coffee and is a great vegetarian source of those coveted omega 3 fatty acids. Cinnamon gives this creamy milk a warm, nutty flavor and helps regulate your blood sugar levels. Use in your morning coffee, with granola, in a smoothie or drink on its own.

Ingredients

1 cup walnuts (feel free to substitute other nuts here; almonds, cashews, pecans, a combo…get creative!)
4 cups filtered water + extra for soaking
1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla powder
Sea salt (just a dash)

Instructions

Soak your nuts in filtered water overnight, or for a few hours.
Drain nuts and add to a high-speed blender with 4 cups of water, sea salt, vanilla and cinnamon. Blend on high for about 2 minutes. Pour through a nut milk bag or cheese cloth into a bowl and transfer to a jug. Save your pulp for cookies, cakes, crackers and more (recipes and ideas coming soon!).
Your walnut cinnamon milk will keep in your refrigerator for 3-5 days. You’ll be able to smell if it has gone off.
Forgot to soak your nuts? No sweat. Soak them in hot water for 5-10 minutes, but you get more nutritional value out of the nuts when you soak them longer.