Going dairy-free means going without the stomach upset (if you’re allergic) and the extra cholesterol that comes in milk. It also means going without that delicious latte you love so much, or does it? It doesn’t have to! It’s possible to make a really delicious latte that has no milk at all. Here are four things to keep in mind if you want to make an impressive vegan latte for you and your friends to enjoy.

Start with Good Coffee

You want to start your favorite cuppa with the best coffee beans around. Quality coffee beans are packaged in aluminum packaging, which prevents the coffee from oxidizing. Once the bag is opened, be sure to store it in a sealed aluminum container. You also want to make sure that you love the smell of the beans. Good-smelling beans equal a yummy cup of latte deliciousness.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Bon Appetit encourages its readers to find alternatives to milk to put into their latte. The site gives a recipe that helps you make a frothy latte, without the milk. It combines basmati rice, cacao nibs, a bit of kosher salt, and some dates, amongst other things. This concoction is blended and then chilled overnight. The resulting latte is creamy and smooth. It gets even more decadent with the addition of some maple syrup on top. The lesson here is don’t be afraid to experiment with alternative ingredients.

Try Some Flavor

If you’re making your special vegan latte around the holidays—like Halloween or Thanksgiving—you don’t want to forget the extra flavors. You can change things up by adding in flavorable syrups, like those at Monin. Just make sure that you add a shot of these syrups to the coffee before you mix in the “faux” milk.

Steaming Soy or Coconut Milk

Finally, it’s important to remember that you can steam another kind of milk to achieve a delicious, frothy vegan latte. With a variety of alternative milks like soy or coconut, your latte can take on a creamy texture and a delicious taste without the dairy. The key to using these items is to learn how to steam them properly. You also need to be willing to experiment with them ahead of time to determine which tastes the best.

People who subscribe to a plant-based diet don’t have to do without the goodies they’ve grown to love throughout their lives, including lattes. Making treats like vegan lattes can be challenging, but a whole lot of fun too if you incorporate the above tips.

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