Before the market became saturated with options, Almond Breeze Almond Milk was my go-to milk beverage. They were the first to launch an unsweetened version, which I found indispensable for everything from breakfast cereal to recipes. Over the years, they didn’t made a big splash with new releases. Instead, they’ve methodically expanded their core product line. But this year, they’ve decided to get just a little bit more adventurous.
Almond Breeze has added “Blended with Bananas,” Horchata, and Mexican Hot Chocolate (seasonal) to their baseline almond milk collection. Don’t worry, their seasonal dairy-free Nog is back too!
Almond Breeze Makes a Splash with Nutty Milks for all Seasons
The simplistic yet expansive Almond Breeze Almond Milk line boasts something for everyone, from low carb dieters to classic chocolate milk fans.
The basic Almond Breeze Almond Milk formula has a very pleasant natural almond flavor on a relatively neutral background. It’s relatively creamy in consistency, but it doesn’t have the thickness of cow’s milk. For a thicker milk beverage, consider the Almond Breeze Blends.
We have used this product in baking and cooking with great success, and have taste-tested several of the varieties. I’ve included our notes for several of them. But feel free to leave your own rating and review below if you’ve tried any of them!
Per the concern of a reader: please note that the fortifications may differ between product formats. The shelf-stable, refrigerated, and large refrigerated can vary, especially since as noted above, they are made separately.
Original
This classic flavor is sweet and delightful. We didn’t find it overly almond-y in taste, but rather a nice tasty milk alternative in general. It’s a nice treat with relatively low sugars.
Ingredients: almondmilk (filtered water, almonds), cane sugar, calcium carbonate, sea salt, potassium citrate, sunflower lecithin, gellan gum, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d2, d-alpha-tocopherol (natural vitamin e).*
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 60 calories, 2.5g fat, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 7g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Unsweetened Original
This is their most versatile variety. I recommend it with granola, in smoothies, and in recipes. It technically works in savory dishes, too, but I find the almond influence a little much for some dishes, like mashed potatoes.
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 30 calories, 2.5g fat, 1g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Vanilla
Despite the higher sugars, this isn’t as sweet as you might expect. But it’s pleasant and definitely drinkable.
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 80 calories, 2.5g fat, 14g carbs, 1g fiber, 13g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Unsweetened Vanilla
This is very much like the original unsweetened but with notable hints of vanilla. It’s great over cereal and in smoothies.
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 30 calories, 2.5g fat, 1g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Chocolate
This is a delightful chocolate milk. Tony loves heating this one up for the world’s fastest hot chocolate.
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 100 calories, 2.5g fat, 19g carbs, 1g fiber, 18g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Unsweetened Chocolate
I think it is so cool that they offer this! It’s actually my favorite chocolate “milk,” because I can control what sweeteners, and how much I use, in recipes while adding a nice rich flavor.
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 40 calories, 3g fat, 2g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Hint of Honey
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 50 calories, 2.5g fat, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 7g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Hint of Honey Vanilla
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 60 calories, 2.5g fat, 9g carbs, 1g fiber, 8g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Reduced Sugar
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 40 calories, 2.5g fat, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 3g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Reduced Sugar Vanilla
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 60 calories, 2.5g fat, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 8g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Blended with Real Bananas
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 80 calories, 2g fat, 15g carbs, 1g fiber, 12g sugars, 2g protein. Fortified with 45% RDA for calcium, 25% RDA for vitamin D, 50% RDA for vitamin E, and 10% RDA for vitamin A.*
Horchata
This is a new creamy Latin-inspired flavor with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Enjoy it over ice this summer!
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 110 calories, 2.5g fat, 21g carbs, 1g fiber, 19g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 15% RDA for calcium.*
Nog (seasonal)
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 70 calories, 1.5g fat, 14g carbs, 0g fiber, 11g sugars, 1g protein. Fortified with 15% RDA for calcium.*
Mexican Chocolate (seasonal)
Nutrition (per 1 cup serving): 110 calories, 3g fat, 23g carbs, 2g fiber, 19g sugars, 2g protein.*
Additional Allergen Notes*
Here’s how Almond Breeze addresses the shared equipment with some of their products:
Refrigerated Almond Breeze is certified Kosher OU-D, meaning they are dairy free products made on heated equipment that may also be used for dairy products. Blue Diamond uses stringent equipment cleaning and testing procedures to ensure that products made on dairy equipment are dairy-free. For individuals following orthodox kosher rules, dairy-free products processed on heated equipment also used for dairy may not be eaten together with a meat product. Refrigerated Almond Breeze is safe for individuals with dairy allergies.
All Shelf Stable Almond Breeze products are certified Kosher OU meaning that all ingredients are kosher certified containing neither meat nor dairy ingredients or derivatives.
Both Refrigerated and Shelf Stable Almond Breeze are safe for individuals with dairy allergies.
Although they do handle almonds, cashews, and coconuts for their products, their facility is peanut-free. And they state that all of their products are gluten-free and egg-free.
The Facts on Almond Breeze Almond Milk
Price: $1.99 per 32-ounce shelf-stable quart; $3.99 per 64-ounce refrigerated half gallon. $3.49 per refrigerated quart for seasonal flavors.
Availability: Almond Breeze Almond Milk is widely available in natural food stores and large grocery chains in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia. The above varieties are all available in the U.S. Some of the flavors above are not available globally.
Certifications: Almond Breeze Almond Milk is Non-GMO Verified. The shelf-stable varieties are Certified Kosher Pareve, but the refrigerated varieties are Certified Kosher D (for dairy equipment, not ingredients; see our Understanding Kosher Guide).
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Almond Breeze Almond Milk is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
For More Product Information: Visit the Blue Diamond website at www.bluediamond.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
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What Others Are Saying ...
Shelf stable vs refrigerated
You should mention in your article that there are some slight differences in the shelf stable product vs. the refrgerated almond breeze. This is not meant in any way to criticize your wonderful article, but just to point out there is a difference in self stable vs. refrigerated brand. The shelf stable almond breeze does not contain any vitamin D, which is essential to work with the absorption of calcium. So if you drink the shelf stable product most of the time thinking you are fulfilling your calcium requirement you had better research that with the company. Also shelf stable also does not have vitamin A, the refrigerated almond breeze does. I drink the refrigerated brand all the time and love all their varieties, however, I only keep the shelf stable product for emergencies. I have tried other brands and almond breeze is superior. I use it every morning to make steel cut oatmeal and prefer it to regular milk which I never cared for.
Response from Go Dairy Free
Thank you for pointing this out. But please note that I do not state they are the same. I think you are referring to the photo, which is from Almond Breeze – I didn’t create it. We don’t always discuss fortification. Keep in mind that both vitamin A and vitamin D are fat soluble vitamins. They don’t need to be consumed at the same time as calcium, for example, to help in absorption. Adequate daily vitamin D (from the sun, supplements, or foods) and vitamin A will aid in absorption regardless of when they are taken in or created during the day.
I love this stuff
When I started making smoothies a friend told me about Califia Farms almond milk and the resulting smoothies were good. One day in Fry’s grocery store I saw the Almond Breeze and thought why not try it? I brought it home and taste tested it against the Califia. The Breeze has a MUCH nicer almond flavor. I have used it exclusively since.
Almond Breeze Blended with Real Bananas
I tried the Almond Breeze Blended with Real Bananas last month when I couldn’t find the Ripple Unsweetened Vanilla Pea Milk at Kroger. The Almond Breeze Blended with Real Bananas is filled with banana flavor coming from the real bananas used in the banana purée. I guess the 12 g of sugar mostly comes from the banana purée used and not added sugars. This is all coming from an adult female who found out last year she needed to go dairy free, because if I have too much milk and/or foods made with milk it makes my nose run too much and also because I got sick three different times for at least a week at a time with allergies/cold. Never went for an allergy test for milk, because I have very bad anxiety around needles that are used to give people vaccines with and to take the yearly blood for the yearly blood work.
Love the chocolate almond milk
I agree, it makes a perfect hot chocolate. It’s also great over ice in summer.
A go-to milk alternative
I sometimes buy other brands when they are on sale, but this is still a brand I pick up often. I love the unsweetened vanilla on cereal and in smoothies, my husband loves the chocolate milk, and my niece (who does eat dairy) loves the original. She mainly uses it in smoothies, but likes it just for drinking too. They do have a little bit of an almond flavor, so I don’t typically use them in savory recipes, but they are great for baking.
11 Comments
Hi Alisa! Do you also review dairy-free cheeses? I would love to know the best ones not containing soy. I LOVE the Almond Breeze almond cashew blend unsweetened vanilla… I’m hooked and trying to go completely dairy-free.
Hi Darla, of course we do! 🙂
Here’s all of our reviews by category -> https://www.godairyfree.org/new-dairy-free-product-reviews
And here is the cheese sub section specifically -> https://www.godairyfree.org/product-reviews/alternatives-cheese
I hope you find your perfect cheesy match!
Why the Unsweetened Original Almond Breeze is listed as “Kosher Dairy (UD)”?
Hi Sharon, see my Understanding Kosher guide here – http://www.godairyfree.org/food-and-grocery/food-label-info/understanding-kosher
I used to drink almond milk but I am switching to a different dairy alternative. I am doing this because almond milk uses tons of water ( 1 almond takes 1.1 gallons of water to grow) and with the drought in California I’m switching to save water.
You might choose coconut milk and/or cashew milk which both have lower water usage according to reports.
I absolutely love the Chocolate flavored Almond Breeze. I drink it every day! I love it so much so glad that I decided to try it when I did cause I was skeptical at first, I didn’t really like soy milk when I tried it, so I was hesitant with trying almond milk too, cause I wasn’t sure how it would taste on its own but its amazing.
Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk is my favorite! It’s great in anything you’d normally use milk for. My husband loves it too, so I’m happy to say we don’t buy milk for the house anymore 🙂
LOVE the unsweetened Vanilla milk!
Linda me too.
A lot of these milks have synthetic vitamins too. You really have to read those labels.
Iwoild be on bboard if it didn’t contain carageenan.