Demand for dairy is down, but business is booming for alternative, non-dairy milk brands. Sales of this so-called "White Gold" were up by 50% in the USA in 2018; these days it seems that someone's trying to squeeze milk from just about every plant or nut, hence the moniker “nut milks.” Now you might be wondering: which is the best vegan milk? Which vegan milk is best with coffee?

For vegans, vegetarians, and dairy-avoiders, there are more choices than ever before. However, with so many non-dairy milk options available now, it is difficult to separate the wheat-milk from the chaff.

This guide will tell you which type is the best vegan milk. No rankings this time, because each vegan milk has its own unique properties that might be perfect depending on your situation (oat milk, one of the vegan milks, froths excellently for coffee, for example).

The Best Vegan Milks in 2021 (Compared on Creaminess, Environmental Friendliness, Nutrition, and more)

Milk type	Vegan friendly?	Creamy?	Price	Carbs?	Nut free?	Environmentally friendly?
Almond milk	✓	Somewhat	$	High		Somewhat	See options on Amazon
Cashew milk	✓	Very	$$$	Medium		Decently	See options on Amazon
Coconut milk	✓	Very	$$	Low	✓	Very	See options on Amazon
Flax milk	✓	Very	$	Low	✓	Decently	See options on Amazon
Hazelnut milk	✓	Decently	$$$	Low		Somewhat	See options on Amazon
Hemp milk	✓	Decently	$	High	✓	Very	See options on Amazon
Macadamia milk	✓	Decently	$	Low		Decently	See options on Amazon
Oat milk	✓	Somewhat	$	High	✓	Very	See options on Amazon
Rice milk	✓	Somewhat	$	Very High	✓	Somewhat	See options on Amazon
Soy milk	✓	Decently	$	Medium	✓	Somewhat	See options on Amazon

The most popular vegan milk options:

Note: Weird dairy-industry lobbying has spurred legislation that makes companies in certain regions not to use the word “milk” in their product if it does not contain dairy, so that is why you’ll see words like “drink” or “beverage” instead of “milk” for these products.

Soy Milk

Soy is the stalwart of non-dairy milk. It's a longstanding favorite that's widely available in stores and coffee shops around the world. Soy milk has a creamier, fuller texture compared to many nut-derived milks and a slightly nutty, sometimes beany flavor. The savory taste of unsweetened varieties makes it a staple for cooking.

Soy had a bad rep for a while. It contains high levels of phytoestrogens, which look similar to the hormone estrogen, and this sparked concerns about a link between soy and increased risk of breast cancer. Studies have since shown this link can't be proven, and there may even be evidence to show soy protects against cancer. What's more, soy is a complete source of protein, boosting its nutritional profile compared to some other non-dairy milk.

Soy is one of the most affordable non-dairy milk options available right now. There are many flavors and sizes to choose from, with brands like Silk enriching their soy milk with nutrients like Vitamin B12, which can be notoriously challenging to find on a plant-based diet. For coffee aficionados, the Japanese milk, Bonsoy, is a real treat to lay your lips on. It's super-creamy, foams for a latte, and it doesn't split in hot drinks unlike some soy milks - but it does come with a luxurious price tag.

Our soy milk picks:

Almond Milk

Almond milk is the big-seller on the non-dairy milk market. It's naturally oh-so-sweet and packs a nutty punch, but it does have a more watery consistency than other plant-based milk like soy or oat. It makes sense really as, like other nut milks, almond milk is made from soaked nuts, which are ground and blended with water.

Almond milk makes a tasty addition to smoothies and shakes to which it lends a natural sweetness and high calcium content, but it doesn't always partner well with hot drinks that can cause the milk to split.

Around 80% of almonds globally are grown in California, making almond milk a low food mile option for the US. But the water-loving crop isn't helping drought-stricken parts of the state, which may be a concern to those choosing a plant-based lifestyle for sustainability reasons.

On the upside, almond milk is widely available in stores and comes in a variety of flavors. Almond Breeze's Unsweetened Milk also skips use of carrageenan, which will be a relief to anyone concerned about its potentially inflammatory properties. If you're looking to pack some protein, then the two-ingredient Elmhurst Milked Almonds offer more grams per serving than other brands. This one's a little more pricey, but a winner if you usually make your own milk and find yourself running low on time.

Our almond milk picks:

Oat Milk

Some say oat milk is most similar to cow milk, but with a slight cookie-like aftertaste - à la McVities Digestive Biscuit. Oat milk has a rich, creamy consistency that's almost milkshake-like. The oats bring a subtle sweetness which is a delight to drink on its own or frothed up in a coffee. And, it's a tasty option for those with soy or nut allergies.

Oat milk is also a sustainability hero. The crops aren't associated with deforestation, have relatively low land and water use and are quick to grow in cooler climates, like the USA and northern Europe.

Widely regarded as the oat-based leader, Oatly offer a range of milks but it's their Barista Edition that foams to something magical in a cup of joe. If you're looking for something a little lighter and lower in sugar, then there is Califia Farms whole rolled oat milk that's still creamy and gently sweet.

Our oat milk picks:

Coconut Milk

You can't help but transport your nose to the tropics when opening a carton of coconut milk. It has creamy, milk-like consistency and a subtle coconutty taste - which you'll either love or hate. Coconut milk is higher in saturated fats than other milk, but low in carbs, making it a great plant-based keto diet option.

Coconut milk that you drink or splash over your cereal differs to the canned variety you'd cook with, though. The canned tins often come with a layer of high-fat coconut cream you wouldn't want to drink, whereas the carton beverages are often watered down and filled with stabilizers and carrageenan. Luckily, So Delicious's Unsweetened Coconut Milk is carrageenan free.

Something a little different is powdered coconut milk which could become your new cupboard staple or travelling companion. Add hot water to make light coconut milk, or add as a creamer to hot drinks or flavoring in curries or smoothies. Watch out though; some contain powders contain casein which is derived from cow milk, but Terrasoul Superfoods' is completely dairy-free and vegan-friendly.

Our coconut milk picks:

Rice Milk

Like oat milk, rice milk is regarded by some as close tasting to cow milk, which makes it a good alternative for those starting plant-based eating. Rice milk has a thinner consistency compared to other non-dairy milks, much like that of skim cow milk. But it has a sweet flavor and is one of the least allergenic milk options available.

Some rice milks are also fortified, like Rice Dream's, which comes packed with calcium and vitamins A, B12 and D, helping non-dairy lovers pack in all their essential nutrients.

Rice milk has come under fire recently for its environmental impact. Methane-producing bacteria is found in rice paddy fields, and some may question if an increased demand for rice in milk could lead to an increase in methane, a greenhouse gas.

Our rice milk picks:

The non-dairy newcomer milks:

Hemp Milk

The first of our newcomers is hemp milk. Hemp contains one of the highest sources of plant proteins and is naturally rich in calcium and Omega -3 and -6 fatty acids. Made from hemp seeds, the milk has a nutty flavor but tends to be creamier than nut milks. Hemp doesn't split at higher temperatures like some non-dairy alternatives, so makes it great for splashing into your coffee too.

Our hemp milk pick: Pacific Foods - Hemp Plant-Based Beverage

Cashew Milk

Cashew milk has a consistency similar to that of almond milk, but as more delicate nutty taste. Cashew milk is also naturally low in sugar giving it a relatively low glycemic index (G.I.). Unlike almond milk, cashew milk doesn't tend to split with heat and has the versatility to be sipped on its own, slurped with cereal, splashed into baking, or warming you up inside a hot drink.

Our cashew milk pick: Elmhurst - Milked Cashews

Flax Milk

For the environmentally-conscious, flax milk is a good replacement for almond milk. It's loaded with Omega 3, like hemp milk, and full of digestion-boosting fiber. It has an earthier flavor compared to nut milks, and for some can be a bit of an 'acquired' taste, but some find it complements coffee very well.

Our flax milk pick: Good Karma - Plant-Powered Flaxmilk

Macadamia Milk

After finding popularity in Australian cafe culture, Macadamia milk offers something a little bit different. It's full-bodied with a slightly lifted, fruity flavor; well something that sets it apart from other nut milks anyway. Macadamia milk is high-fat, low-carb and ideal for those following a keto diet.

Our macadamia milk pick: Milkadamia - Unsweetened Macadamia Milk

Hazelnut Milk

Nothing beats the sweet praline aroma of hazelnuts, and now you can find it in a milk bottle. Hazelnut milk tastes as nutty as it smells, which makes it a perfect partner to cocoa-based baking, in your latte or poured over a big bowl of granola.

Our hazelnut milk pick: Elmhust - Unsweetened Hazelnut Milk

Non-dairy milks are growing in popularity worldwide. There are lots of plant-based milks to watch out for including pistachio, peanut, banana, quinoa and pea milk. Finding your ideal non-dairy milk will mostly test your preference for consistency or flavor, for now. But with the options available ever mounting it won't be long for your perfect milk to arrive in a store near you, if it hasn't already.

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