7 Best Plant-Based Milk Brands You Should Try

There's no denying it — plant-based milk is the dairy replacement of the future. Over the past few years, traditional cow milk sales have declined with non-dairy alternatives like soy, almond, coconut, and oat milk taking center stage. Sentient Media reports that in 2020 forty percent of U.S. households purchased plant-based dairy. This prominence proves that milk alternatives are more than just a passing trend or reserved for a niche market. In fact, many of these households are opting for these alternatives simply because they prefer the taste.

With this explosive interest, food innovators have stepped into the space to create substitutes so similar to real milk, you have to try to taste the difference. This $3 billion industry — that's billion with a B — continues to grow alongside other animal-based food replacements (via Statista). Maybe you've switched to plant-based milk for environmental, health, or ethical reasons, or maybe it's just more pleasing to your palette. Either way, we've assembled a list of brands leading the non-dairy charge. The astonishing breadth of vegan-friendly options is certain to please herbivores and omnivores alike.

For over 90 years, Elmhurst was a family-owned traditional dairy farm. But times (and business models) change, and so did this New York City-based company. In 2016, it abandoned animal-based dairy, devoting its efforts entirely to vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO alternatives. As the newly renamed Elmhurst 1925, owner Henry Schwartz partnered with Cheryl Mitchell, a renowned plant food scientist, to create clean and pure nut-, grain-, and seed-based milk products. 

Thanks to Dr. Mitchell's revolutionary HydroRelease process, the plant-based dairy at Elmhurst retains its inherent nutrition. It also doesn't contain food additives or emulsifiers, providing consumers with milk so smooth and creamy, you may never know it's not dairy. Plus, all of Elmhurst 1925's FSC Certified paperboard cartons are 100% recyclable in most facilities, making this entrepreneurial vegan milk company better for the animals and better for the planet.

Your inner child will rejoice when sipping Elmhurst's chocolate oat milk. Go nuts over almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut, and pistachio milk — all carrageenan-free. Love to froth milk to upgrade your morning coffee? Elmhurst offers a host of barista blends — plant-based milks specifically formulated to provide the frothy goodness of a latte in the convenience of your own kitchen. If you prefer a flavored creamer, Elmhurst offers caramel macchiato, chai, and French vanilla. However you drink it, Elmhurst 1925's plant-based dairy is certain to hit the spot.

With some of the most colorful packaging of all non-dairy milk on supermarket shelves, Hope and Sesame stands out in more than just its marketing efforts. This company is led and managed by women that started as a group of friends with a common goal. The makers use upcycled ingredients — the remnants of sesame oil production — to create tasty, creamy plant-based alternatives to dairy. As the name indicates, sesame seeds are the star of the show. These naturally pest-resistant plants don't require petroleum-based pesticides or herbicides to thrive. They also don't need help from bees or birds to reproduce. Sesame seeds are also drought-tolerant, meaning that they don't need a great deal of water to thrive. Considering that the World Economic Forum says the western United States is experiencing the largest megadrought seen in over 1,200 years, the amount of water your plant-based milk uses can actually make a difference.

If it's nutrition you're after, Hope and Sesame has that covered, too. Rich in calcium and vitamin D, Hope and Sesame's milks contain all nine essential amino acids plus 8g of protein in each serving. Hope and Sesame also offers barista blends for premium frothing as well as delightful chocolate sesame and chocolate hazelnut milks. The company's recyclable Tetra Pak cartons are derived mostly from plant-based, renewable sources, and its plastic PET bottles feature recyclable sleeves. You don't have to sacrifice taste, quality, or ethics when you opt for this delicious and truly sustainable plant-based milk brand.

JOI has introduced a line of sustainable, filler-free, condensed plant milks that you add your own water to formulate. These let you customize your non-dairy alternatives exactly to your liking. Even better, JOI comes in reusable glass containers or pouches made from post-consumer recycled materials, reducing waste. JOI's shelf-stable plant milk concentrates don't require refrigeration, and because you make JOI on an as-needed basis, you'll know your vegan milk is fresh. Considering the FDA estimates that around 133 billion pounds of food are wasted every year, the less you toss out the better. By mixing up just the right amount you need at the moment, you can avoid throwing away outdated non-dairy milk. Plus, it's shelf stable meaning it's perfect to take along on trips when you might not have access to milk alternatives. 

Whether you use the product as an at-home staple or a nifty travel hack, there are plenty of options to choose from. Choose from oat, almond, and cashew milk (with organic nut and bulk size options available) and hazelnut creamer. You can even use JOI's concentrates to make plant-based ice cream. What's not to "enjoi" about that?

One of the biggest players in the non-dairy beverage game, Califia Farms offers an array of plant-based dairy alternatives. This includes milks, creamers, and barista blends so good you'll want to tip yourself after making your coffee. Miss the fluffy goodness of Reddi-Wip? Try Califia Farms' heavy whipping cream substitute for a homemade vegan option. Gave up eggs but long for a creamy winter drink? Check out Califia Farms' holiday nog. Califia Farms also recently introduced a new line of organic plant-based milks with just three simple ingredients and no gums or oils. With a variety of ready-made coffee drinks and seasonal flavors like peppermint mocha almond creamer, there's something for everyone at Califia Farms.

Califia Farms' plant-based milks contain healthy fats, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals that give you the nutrition you need while emitting far less carbon than traditional dairy. With so many versatile and delicious animal-free options available, Califia Farms products just might entice and encourage folks to choose more sustainable foods.

Ripple's creamy and nutritious plant-based milk is made without dairy, soy, or nuts. So what's behind this allergy-friend, non-GMO milk alternative? Cholesterol-free yellow peas. Many plant-based milks have scant levels of protein, but the peas in Ripple provide 8g per serving. The unsweetened original Ripple milk has zero sugar, 50% more calcium than 2% cow's milk, plus vitamin D and 32mg of Omega-3s. Ripple also contains nearly nine times less saturated fat than either traditional dairy or coconut milk. But Ripple doesn't stop there. With six fabulous flavors of plant-based milk, Ripple provides plenty of opportunities to mix it up a bit. 

Ripple even has a plant-based milk specially formulated for children. Developed with pediatricians, Ripple Kids features an impressive 50mg of Omega-3s to promote healthy brain development, plus choline and prebiotic fiber to nourish growing bodies. The company believes that sustainable living can create a ripple effect to create a happier and healthier world — for kids, adults, and animals alike.

Soft, creamy, buttery macadamia nuts are the heroes of Mikadamia plant milks, non-dairy drinks from Jindilli Beverages. The beverage was born on the east coast of Australia, where the lush climate makes an awesome growing spot for macadamia nuts. The company's name was even inspired by the indigenous Australian word for macadamias. This connection to native traditions and appreciation for Mother Earth is part and parcel of Milkamadia's business practices. The founders believe that the power of community and plant-based dairy can help save the shared planet we all love and live on.

In addition to Milkadamia's macadamia nut oils and buttery spreads, the company's non-GMO plant-based milk stands out in a crowd of dairy alternatives. These gluten-free and vegan milks bring a bright, light touch of creaminess to your favorite recipes. Milkadamia's unsweetened barista blend foams and steams so beautifully, you'll be singing, "latte da!" with every sip. The plant-based deliciousness of Milkadamia truly embodies the company's motto: moo is moot.

MALK Organics is a no-nonsense almond and oat milk company. No fillers, no preservatives — just clean, simple, certified organic ingredients that make a sweet and satisfying drink. Created by a mom searching for an allergen-free option for her son, MALK is dedicated to transparency and encourages consumers to #turnitaround. The bottle, that is. MALK makes its labels easy to read so consumers know exactly what they're consuming. In fact, when customers asked MALK to ditch the vaguely named "organic natural flavors," the Texas-based company did just that. In 2022, MALK relaunched its vanilla almond and oat varieties using organic vanilla extract made from real vanilla beans. This goes to prove that when you drink MALK, you can trust the company to provide what it promises.

Use MALK in your next smoothie, pudding, or even vegan egg nog. When you incorporate MALK into your kitchen, you can relax knowing you're drinking a high-quality, transparently-labeled, dairy alternative. Just what Mom would want.