October is the month for slow mornings, chunky jumpers and a warm mug in both hands. As the evenings draw in, it's the perfect time to swap shop-bought cartons for fresh, homemade plant milk.
When you make your own oat, almond or soy milk at home, you control exactly what goes in: no gums, no added oils, no mystery ingredients. It also tastes noticeably creamier and fresher, which makes all the difference in a hot drink.
Here are five cosy autumn drinks to make this month, all built on a base of fresh homemade plant milk.
5 warm plant milk drinks for October
1. Pumpkin spice oat latte
The drink of the season, made better at home. Oat milk is naturally sweet and froths beautifully, so it's the ideal base.
- 250 ml fresh oat milk
- 2 tbsp pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp pumpkin spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove)
- 1 shot of espresso
Warm the oat milk with the pumpkin, maple and spices, whisking until smooth. Pour over your espresso and finish with a pinch of cinnamon.
2. Golden almond milk
Turmeric, ginger and a twist of black pepper make this a warming, caffeine-free evening drink.
- 250 ml fresh almond milk
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- A pinch of black pepper and cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey or agave
Gently heat everything in a small pan, whisking for 3 to 4 minutes. Don't let it boil. Strain if you prefer it silky.
3. Spiced chai with cashew milk
Cashew milk is rich and creamy, which balances the bold spices in chai.
- 250 ml fresh cashew milk
- 1 black tea bag (or rooibos for caffeine-free)
- 2 crushed cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 cloves, a slice of fresh ginger
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Simmer the spices in 60 ml of water for 5 minutes, add the tea for 2 minutes, then pour in the cashew milk and warm through. Strain and sweeten to taste.
4. Velvety hot chocolate
A classic for rainy October afternoons. Soy or oat milk gives the creamiest result.
- 250 ml fresh soy or oat milk
- 30 g dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- A pinch of sea salt
Warm the milk, then whisk in the chocolate, cocoa and salt until melted and glossy. Add a little orange zest for a festive twist.
5. Maple cinnamon hazelnut milk
Nutty, toasty and lightly sweet, like autumn in a mug.
- 250 ml fresh hazelnut milk
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- A drop of vanilla extract
Heat gently and froth for a café-style finish. It's also lovely poured over porridge.
Tips for the best homemade plant milk this autumn
- Heat gently. Plant milks can split or turn grainy if boiled. Keep them just below a simmer.
- Pick the right base. Oat and soy froth best for lattes; almond and hazelnut add a nutty depth; cashew is the creamiest.
- Make it fresh. Homemade plant milk keeps for around 3 to 4 days in the fridge, so make small batches and enjoy it at its best.
- Use the pulp. Leftover oat or nut pulp is perfect in autumn baking, from banana bread to pumpkin muffins.
- Spice to taste. Start with small amounts of strong spices like clove and nutmeg, then add more.
Make October your cosiest month yet
There's something special about a warm drink made from milk you've just made yourself. With a Milky Plant machine, fresh oat, almond, soy or cashew milk is ready in minutes, with no cartons, no additives and far less waste.
Try one of these recipes this week and tag us on social media with your autumn creations. We'd love to see what's in your mug.
