No soaking or straining needed, hemp milk is one of the easiest non-dairy milk recipes you can make at home. Creamy and optionally sweetened with dates and vanilla, it's a great zero-waste milk alternative and works well for baking, smoothies, or cereal. Making your own vegan milk is a good environmental option (no plastic containers!) and you can make it completely to your taste.
For more vegan staple recipes and guides, you might like this basic granola ratio, how to cook beans in the oven, or learn how to make your own vegan buttermilk.
Ingredients
If you keep hemp hearts on hand, this is the ideal quick plant milk recipe. See how to stock a vegan pantry.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Hemp hearts: not to be confused with hemp seeds, hemp hearts are soft and have had the outer hull removed. They should be kept in the fridge or freezer to prevent spoiling.
- Dates: optional, if you know you'd like the milk to be a little sweeter. The dates are a good addition if you plan on drinking your hemp milk in a glass or using it for things like cereal and muesli.
- Salt: I recommend adding a pinch of salt whether your milk is for sweet or savoury use. It boosts the flavour and makes for a better all around milk.
How to Make Hemp Milk
You don't need a particularly strong blender for this recipe, but a decent one will make for a creamier drink. It can also be made with a strong immersion blender and a big bowl.
Step 1: add the hemp hearts, water, and other ingredients to a blender.
Step 2: mix on high speed until very creamy.
Top Tips
- Sweeten to taste: the dates are not mandatory and only lightly sweeten the milk. If you don't want any added sugar, they can be omitted, or you can add an extra one if you want it to be sweeter.
- Don't use hemp seeds: the seeds have a very hard outer layer and aren't meant to be blended up into milk like this. If they're crunchy, they're not hemp hearts.
- Use soft dates: if you only have hard, dried dates, sweeten with something like maple syrup instead. Dry dates won't blend in and you don't want chunks.
- Add extras: mix in a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder to make chocolate hemp milk, or about a cup of fresh strawberries to make strawberry milk.
How to Store
Storage: keep in a tightly sealed bottle or jar in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Freezing: hemp milk can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and shake well before serving. Try freezing in ice cube trays to add to smoothies or drinks like iced masala chai.
FAQ
Is hemp milk bitter?
Milk make with hemp hearts is not bitter at all and has a lightly sweet, nutty flavour.
How long does hemp milk last?
Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for 4-5 days. I recommend using a glass container with a tight-fitting lid so that you can shake it and to avoid any flavour transfer.
Does hemp milk taste like milk?
Hemp milk does not taste like dairy milk, and it's more similar to other seed or nut milks. It's about the same consistency as whole milk and tastes a bit nutty.
If you make this Hemp Milk recipe or any other vegan staples on Wholehearted Eats, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. For more WHE, follow along on Instagram or subscribe for new posts via email.
Recipe
Hemp Milk
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup hulled hemp seeds also called hemp hearts
- 3 cups water
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 dates pitted, or 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional, to taste)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Add the hemp hearts, water, salt, and dates and vanilla if using to a blender. Mix on high speed until very smooth and creamy. No need to strain.½ cup hulled hemp seeds, 3 cups water, ⅛ teaspoon sea salt, 2 dates, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Transfer the milk into a tightly lidded bottle or storage container and keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Shake before use.