Warm Date Milk
If warm milk before bed was part of your childhood, this updated version feels both nostalgic and new. Ready in 10 minutes, this warm date milk is naturally sweet, soothing, caffeine-free and quietly indulgent.
As someone who lives in Canada, I rely on hot drinks and soup to see me through the winter. But since I can’t drink coffee in the evenings, I had to get creative with my warm beverage.
This warm date milk is inspired by the Indian Khajoor Doodh. In addition to the natural sweetness, dates add a hint of caramel flavor that goes perfectly with the spices. You can enjoy this vegan date milk as a caffeine-free morning drink, a soothing evening beverage, or even as a protein source post-workout.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dates carry a lot of sweetness without the need for syrups or added sugar. This means you can enjoy the treat without a huge sugar spike.
- If you love chai, you’ll love this gently spiced creamy drink. The flavor is a blend of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom with sweet dates.
- You can make this drink into a soothing evening ritual, especially in colder months or late at night.
- Super quick and easy to make, you just need one blender and one pan.
- Since this warm date milk is naturally caffeine-free, it’s suitable for kids, during pregnancy, or for anyone avoiding caffeine.
Key Ingredients
- Dates blend into a caramel-like base that sweetens the vegan milk naturally.
- Soy milk is creamy, neutral in flavor, and protein-rich. Similarly, you can use or another unsweetened non-dairy alternative.
- Cinnamon, ginger and cardamom is the holy trinity of warm spices that elevate a warm drink without overwhelming the flavor.
Hack It!
- Depending on your allergies and preferences, you can pick which vegan milk to use. Soy is great for protein and neutral flavor, oat milk and almond milk is easy to make at home, coconut and cashew milk can make the drink extra creamy.
- Just like iced coffee, this vegan date milk tastes amazing cold. Heat it up to activate the spices, but then add the rest of the milk and let it cool down.
- I know the whole point was to create a soothing and caffeine-free drink, but hear me out! Add espresso for an amazing energizing drink similar to a chai latte.
- Feel free to play with the spices, creating your perfect ratio. You can also add nutmeg, clove, star anise or allspice.
How to Make Vegan Warm Date Milk
Step 1: In a high speed blender, add the pitted dates and 2 cups of the soy milk. Blend until you have a smooth but thick liquid.
Step 2: Transfer that to a saucepan and add the cinnamon, ginger and cardamon. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, adding the 2 cups of additional soy milk.
Step 3: Whisk until the spices are dissolved and the liquid is hot.
Step 4: Serve immediately. Feel free to add extra toppings such as cinnamon or coconut whip.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s best served fresh. However, you can blend the non-dairy milk, spices and dates together as part of meal prep.
You can definitely serve it cold, even over ice. You can warm it up, as long as you don’t bring it to a boil. If there’s not enough left for a full serving, freeze in an ice cube tray and drop into your coffee or tea.
Medjool gives the best texture but dried dates work if soaked first. Syrup blends easily, just reduce the amount to taste.
More Plant-Based Hot Drinks
- Healthy Vegan Hot Chocolate
- Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe
- Vegan Pumpkin Spice Creamer
- Sweet Potato Hot Chocolate
- Date Seed Coffee
If you’re a fan of straightforward, beginner-friendly recipes like this one, I highly recommend grabbing a one or both PlantYou Cookbooks! Together, they boast an impressive collection of whole-food, plant-based recipes suitable for any occasion. Personally, as a visual learner, I placed great emphasis on ensuring the book is user-friendly with helpful infographics that breaks down the ingredients.
The Recipe: Warm Date Milk
Ingredients
- 8 Medjool dates, pitted
- 4 cups soy milk, divided, or another vegan milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cardamom
Equipment
Instructions
- In a high speed blender, add the pitted dates and 2 cups of the soy milk. Blend until you have a smooth but thick liquid.
- Transfer that to a pan over medium heat. At this time, add the cinnamon, ginger and cardamon. Bring to a slow boil, adding the 2 cups of additional soy milk. Whisk until the spices are dissolved and the liquid is hot.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Depending on your allergies and preferences, you can pick which vegan milk to use. Soy is great for protein and neutral flavor, oat milk and almond milk is easy to make at home, coconut and cashew milk can make the drink extra creamy.
- Just like iced coffee, this vegan date milk tastes amazing cold. Heat it up to activate the spices, but then add the rest of the milk and let it cool down.
- I know the whole point was to create a soothing and caffeine-free drink, but hear me out! Add espresso for an amazing energizing drink similar to a chai latte.
- Feel free to play with the spices, creating your perfect ratio. You can also add nutmeg, clove, star anise or allspice.