I drink hot coffee drinks all year long. It’s not that I don’t enjoy iced coffee or an iced latte from time to time. I do. I’m just a hot coffee kind of gal, which is good news this time of year because hot coffee drinks make even more sense than usual. It totally ups the cozy factor, am I right? 🙂
See our guide to making your own latte at home without an espresso machine.
Lately I’ve been cutting out dairy during most of the week, just a random health challenge, and I’ve been enjoying it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still crave a weekday latte here and there. Luckily there are LOTS of options for this. Here are three non-dairy lattes that I’ve been enjoying lately.
I make a half batch of my PSL latte syrup (see here for my original recipe). Then I fill a coffee mug with a few teaspoons of syrup, then a shot (or two—depending on my “needs” that day) of espresso (I have a home espresso machine, but I also sometimes use instant espresso), and then 1 1/2 cups of hot almond milk.
If you have an espresso machine, usually it has a milk frothing wand, but you can also buy a handheld milk frother and just heat your milk in a small pot, froth by hand, and add to your mug. You also could just skip the frothing all together and just heat up the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave. I like my milk frothed. Even though it isn’t exactly like a good coffee shop, it gives the drink just that little extra something that makes it feel special. But, that’s just me.
My second favorite (at least this month) is a coconut milk chai. To make the tea, I simply combine 2 cups water with 3 cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ginger (powder), 1 cinnamon stick, and 1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns. Once the water is hot, I add two black tea bags and steep for 3-5 minutes. If I want to add a little sweetness, I’ll stir in 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar at this point too.
Then I heat and froth my coconut milk (about 1 cup), strain the tea and combine both in a large coffee mug.
Last is an almond milk mocha. Lately I’ve been making this the “lazy” way by combining a packet of hot cocoa mix with warmed and frothed almond milk and a shot of espresso. Some hot cocoa mixes have powdered milk in them, so if you want to keep this dairy-free, watch out for that. You could also use chocolate syrup, or cocoa and some sugar dissolved as an alternative if you can’t find a hot cocoa mix you like. That’s it. The end. Go make a cozy drink for yourself now. 🙂 xo. Emma
Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
Cannot wait to try this! Hot drinks are perfect for all year round and perfect to snuggle up to in fall/winter. 🙂
Love it! Love it!
These sound so good! I’ll have to try!
Hey! Just curious where you get calcium if you’re cutting out dairy 🙂
Needing dairy for calcium is becoming known as a marketing ploy. In fact, those with dairy intolerance (such as myself) are actually often low in calcium while they are consuming dairy (say before they realise) because the inabilty to digesf dairy stops their body from absorbing calcium. Dark green leafy vegetables have much high calcium levels not to mention the fact that really no one tolerats dairy well its just they don’t realise as they are used to not feel 100% because of our unhealthy western diet
Yess! Thank youu, I’ve been vegan for almost a month now so you’ve posted this just in time 😉
YUSS! Going to make some of these during this dreary weekend/hurricane watch! LOVE when blogs feature non-dairy options for vegs like me! 😀
XO Sahra
Que Sera Sahra
The U.S. also has one of the highest rates of soda consumption… remember correlation does not necessarily equal causation, you need to look at all the variables.
Looks good!
These are amazing! I am become somewhat addicted to PSL’s and even though I do not regret this, my wallet is starting to see the difference! You’re syrup looks just as good and better on the purse strings! Thank you <3 xxx
http://vihsee.blogspot.co.uk/
Hi Kate, have you ever heard of the China Study? It’s pretty interesting. It was done over decades and basically explains that the U.S. has one of the highest dairy consumption rates in the world and also has the highest rates of osteoporosis. A lot of research is finding that our bodies don’t readily absorb the calcium found in cow’s milk like we used to think. Forks Over Knives is a great movie that explains this way better than I can!
These look so delicious! Happy National Coffee Day!
http://www.lumberandlaundry.com
Having just begun the I Quit Sugar program, I am glad to see there is a sugar free option as these look to die for.
I have to try out the tea, looks so good!
I am totally making that chai tea when I get home from work today, and curling up under a blanket with my dog and a book. Fall bliss!
This looks so good, and perfect for fall season. I wish it was cold here in Malaysia.
I wanted to thank you girls for a post you did on collage with photoshop. It was really easy to follow and finally I was able to make them for my blog. BIG THANKS!!!
Caro
http://dearbabymj.blogspot.my
I will totally be trying these!
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
Pumpkin spice for the win! Looks so delicious!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
I heat my almond milk on a low heat and towards the end or temp I’m going for, I whisk it in the pan…it froths very easily and quickly…and you get a nice foam cap to top with as well….
I’m a hot coffee drinker too no matter what the weather! Can’t wait to try the PSL and almond milld mocha!