Over the last ten years, the popularity of dairy-free milk alternatives has skyrocketed for reasons ranging from dietary restrictions, ethical standpoints, health reasons, and even flavor preferences. For coffee lovers, there are now a wide range of different alternatives to dairy milk to choose from. The quest to find the perfect dairy-free milk to replicate your favorite barista-made coffee drinks can be a daunting one, but we’re here to help find the best option for you!

While some coffee drinkers prefer their coffee black with no milk added, many of the most popular coffee-based drinks are enhanced by the addition of foamy or steamed milk.

Popular Milk-Based Coffee Beverages:

Cappuccino
Caffè latte as it is often known in Italy
Flat White
Cortado
Macchiato
Mocha

While all these beverages were historically prepared with dairy milk, they can be now made with a variety of different dairy-free milk options, thanks to the addition of proteins which favor emulsification to mimic the texture of dairy-milk.

Oat Milk

Starting off strong with one of the most highly favored plant-based milks, oat milk serves as a fantastic alternative to dairy milk for many reasons. Its creamy and smooth texture makes it an excellent choice for creating frothy coffee drinks, and its ability to steam well allows you to replicate the rich, velvety foam required for several of the beverages listed above.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a naturally creamy milk substitute to add to your morning coffee. You can buy either sweetened or unsweetened, depending on taste preferences. The refreshing, tropical flavor provided by coconut milk makes for a deliciously sweet addition, however some may find it too overpowering.

Soy Milk

One of the most popular dairy-free substitutes is soy milk. The creamy and smooth consistency of soy milk is very similar to the texture of cows’ milk, making it a great alternative for foamed and steamed coffee drinks like cappuccino and latte. It also contains a comparable amount of protein, making it a more satisfying option.

Almond Milk

Being naturally high in fat and vitamin-rich, nuts are an excellent source for plant-based milk alternatives, and almond milk is one of the most popular choices. The subtle flavor of almond milk pairs well with coffee, adding a hint of nuttiness without totally overpowering the coffee. However, one downside of almond milk is the relatively high environmental impact of production, which requires a very large amount of water..

Cashew Milk

Cashew milk is another fantastic nut-based milk substitute for coffee. With a much thicker and creamier texture than almond milk, it adds a deliciously smooth and balanced flavor to your coffee. Cashew milk also contains plenty of healthy fats, as well as vitamins and protein.

Nut Milk Blend

Taking all the various benefits of almond milk and cashew milk explained above, a mixed nut milk blend combines vital properties and nutritional benefits from a variety of nuts. Often, these mixed nut milk alternatives will contain nuts like almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pistachios, and tiger nuts.

Plant-Based Milk

The six types of milk substitutes for coffee listed above are the most popular and commonly used alternatives at everyday coffee shops and supermarkets, however there are still more plant-based milk alternatives you may wish to try in your coffee. Some examples of more plant-based milk substitutes use ingredients such as peas, rice, hemp, barley, wheat and rye.