I love trying different and new drinks, so I was excited when I found Trader Joe’s Blueberry Lavender Almond Milk. I was interested in the mix of flavors and wanted to make the drink at home, so I tried to make it myself. Here, I will tell you how I made my own Blueberry Lavender Almond Milk, inspired by Trader Joe’s but with my twist.
Ingredients
To start, I gathered all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup of raw almonds
- 4 cups of water (plus extra for soaking the almonds)
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon of dried culinary lavender
- 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions to Make Blueberry Lavender Almond Milk
Step 1: Soaking the Almonds
The first step in making almond milk is to soak the almonds. I placed 1 cup of raw almonds in a bowl and covered them with water. After letting them soak overnight (about 8-12 hours), I drained and rinsed them thoroughly. Soaking the almonds not only softens them but also makes the milk creamier and easier to blend.
Step 2: Blending the Almonds
Once the almonds were soaked, I added them to a high-speed blender along with 4 cups of fresh water. Blending on high for about 2-3 minutes resulted in a smooth, frothy mixture. To achieve a creamy consistency, it’s important to blend the almonds well, ensuring that no large pieces remain.
Step 3: Straining the Almond Milk
After blending, I used a nut milk bag to strain the almond milk into a large bowl. You can also use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for this step. Squeezing the bag gently, I extracted as much liquid as possible, leaving behind the almond pulp. The result was a smooth, creamy almond milk base.
Step 4: Adding Blueberries and Lavender
Next, it was time to infuse the almond milk with the delightful flavors of blueberry and lavender. I added 1 cup of fresh blueberries and 1 tablespoon of dried culinary lavender to the blender with the strained almond milk. Blending the mixture again for about 1-2 minutes ensured that the flavors were well incorporated.
Step 5: Sweetening and Flavoring
To enhance the flavor, I added 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the blueberry-lavender almond milk. These additions balanced the tartness of the blueberries and the floral notes of the lavender, creating a harmonious blend. Depending on your taste, you can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup.
Step 6: Straining Again
To achieve a smooth texture, I strained the mixture one more time using a nut milk bag. This step removed any remaining blueberry skins and lavender bits, ensuring that the final product was silky and smooth.
Step 7: Storing and Serving
I poured the finished Blueberry Lavender Almond Milk into a glass bottle and refrigerated it. This delicious beverage can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Before serving, it’s a good idea to give it a gentle shake, as natural separation may occur.
Taste and Experience
I enjoyed making homemade Trader Joe’s Blueberry Lavender Almond Milk. I learned to enjoy the mix of flavors and the freshness of almond milk made at home. The drink turned out nice with great color and smell, and it tasted even better than I thought it would.
The first taste was really good. It was a mix of creamy almond milk, sweet-tart blueberries, and calming lavender. The vanilla and maple syrup added a little sweetness that brought all the flavors together. It was great by itself, but I also liked it with ice or used as a starting point for smoothies.
Wrap-up
I had a lot of fun and felt good about making my version of Trader Joe’s Blueberry Lavender Almond Milk at home. The process was easy, and I made a tasty, special drink that I could enjoy because I knew exactly what I put in it. If you like making your special drinks, you should try this recipe. It’s a great way to try new flavors and enjoy a fresh, homemade snack.
Trader Joe's Blueberry Lavender Almond Milk Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup of raw almonds
- 4 cups of water plus extra for soaking the almonds
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon of dried culinary lavender
- 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey optional, for sweetness
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
Soaking the Almonds
- The first step in making almond milk is to soak the almonds. I placed 1 cup of raw almonds in a bowl and covered them with water. After letting them soak overnight (about 8-12 hours), I drained and rinsed them thoroughly. Soaking the almonds not only softens them but also makes the milk creamier and easier to blend.
Blending the Almonds
- Once the almonds were soaked, I added them to a high-speed blender along with 4 cups of fresh water. Blending on high for about 2-3 minutes resulted in a smooth, frothy mixture. To achieve a creamy consistency, it's important to blend the almonds well, ensuring that no large pieces remain.
Straining the Almond Milk
- After blending, I used a nut milk bag to strain the almond milk into a large bowl. You can also use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for this step. Squeezing the bag gently, I extracted as much liquid as possible, leaving behind the almond pulp. The result was a smooth, creamy almond milk base.
Adding Blueberries and Lavender
- Next, it was time to infuse the almond milk with the delightful flavors of blueberry and lavender. I added 1 cup of fresh blueberries and 1 tablespoon of dried culinary lavender to the blender with the strained almond milk. Blending the mixture again for about 1-2 minutes ensured that the flavors were well incorporated.
Sweetening and Flavoring
- To enhance the flavor, I added 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the blueberry-lavender almond milk. These additions balanced the tartness of the blueberries and the floral notes of the lavender, creating a harmonious blend. Depending on your taste, you can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup.
Straining Again
- To achieve a smooth texture, I strained the mixture one more time using a nut milk bag. This step removed any remaining blueberry skins and lavender bits, ensuring that the final product was silky and smooth.
Storing and Serving
- I poured the finished Blueberry Lavender Almond Milk into a glass bottle and refrigerated it. This delicious beverage can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Before serving, it's a good idea to give it a gentle shake, as natural separation may occur.