I spotted Ripple Half & Half on a recent grocery shopping trip in the non-dairy case. And I couldn’t resist buying a bottle of each variety to review.
Tasting Notes for Ripple Half & Half
Ripple Half & Half is a creamy, top allergen-free, plant-based alternative for Half & Half. We tested this refrigerated dairy-free substitute as a creamer and in recipes.
Vanilla
I sampled some sips straight up, and found that it had very pleasant flavor. It was sweet, but not sugary, with a notable little dose of vanilla. It’s definitely richer and thicker than typical milk beverage and even than most dairy-free creamers. It has just a slight powdery finish, but this didn’t seem to be pervasive and was only detectable when sipping it straight.
I used the Vanilla Ripple Half & Half to make homemade bread, and it produced a wonderfully fluffy crumb. It also blends very well in coffee and tea with virtually no separation. It adds a light but full-bodied mouth-feel, and it isn’t the least bit watery, like so many dairy-free creamers. The flavor is mild and pleasant when used a a creamer. A tiny bit of sediment did remain at the bottom of my mug, but it was no loss just leaving it behind.
Original (Unsweetened)
The Original has the same wonderful richness and creamy mouth feel as the Vanilla, but it’s sugar-free and unflavored. Truthfully, I was expecting this to taste rather dreadful on its own. But I took a sip and my taste buds were intrigued! The consistency is so decadent and the flavor was surprisingly mild with an oddly addictive taste. It’s definitely savory, but something kept making me want to take more sips.
I loved the Original in tea, even though I don’t use creamers regularly. It also seems to shine in recipes. Thus far, I’ve used it to make a white sauce, and the results were delicious. It bubbled up and thickened beautifully without any separation. I think this Ripple Half & Half also begs to be used in soup.
The Facts on Ripple Half & Half
Certifications: Ripple Half & Half is labeled as gluten-free and vegan, but I did not note certifications for these. Ripple is a Certified B Corporation and according to their website, all ripple products are Certified Non-GMO.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Ripple Half & Half is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. Nonetheless, always read the ingredient statement and check with the company on their manufacturing processes for all varieties if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. Processes and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product.
For More Product Information: Visit the Ripple website at www.ripplefoods.com.
Where to Buy Ripple Half & Half
Price: $3.49 per 16-ounce bottle
Availability in Stores: Currently, Ripple Half & Half is only available in the U.S., but they are working on Canadian distribution. Their milk beverages are already in Canada. I purchased the Half & Half at Target and also saw it at Whole Foods. You can find a store locator on www.ripplefoods.com, which lets you search for stores by product in the U.S. and Canada. In store, look for it in the refrigerated case next to the dairy-free creamers or milk beverages.
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What Others Are Saying ...
My coffee is happy!
I purchased the Ripple original to try in my coffee…. to get away from using products with saturated fats. I was pleasantly surprised! It’s creamy and I found the taste very similar to using regular half & half so I will continue to buy this product. I may try the vanilla flavor for some of my baking next 🙂
Finally!
I LOVE dairy 1/2 & 1/2, but it does not love me. I’ve tried everything in my coffee and yuck. Saw this at Target and figured “why not”. It’s the best dairy free substitute that I’ve personally found. Have only tried the vanilla so far. Great in hot drip. Great poured into my Starbucks triple shot on ice. My tummy is so happy!!
Amazing Dairy Alternative
I just discovered this product and I love it!
I currently use it for my coffee. I had to do a double-take as once I poured it in my coffee it looked EXACTLY like regular half and half. SO CREAMY!
The taste is amazing. The only downside is there is a little sediment that gets left behind, but it really isn’t a bothersome to me. The taste and texture is beautiful!
Stick to your traditional half & half
It is awful as a coffee creamer. I purchased the Vanilla at Target. It is not full- bodied. I am planning on returning it. If you are used to traditional half & half or coffee creamers in flavored varities, stick to those. This is weak and lacking, unfortunately.
It lightened my coffee and helped it not be bitter, but I don't like the taste.
II did not want to finish my coffee with this stuff in it. I tried adding a bit of the real thing but the taste is still pretty bad. I am hoping to find a way to spruce it up because it is healthier that actual dairy creamer. I think I’ll try cinnamon, or adding a little honey and cocoa powder. I want very much to leave the full fat of half and half behind.
Love it!
My mother is lactose intolerant and I buy it for her – it’s so good though I use it whenever I’m there. Unfortunately, Whole Foods dropped it and Star is always out of it, and my local target is also always out of it. I hate having to buy another brand because Ripple is wonderful
Tastes like soap.
I can’t believe anybody likes this stuff! My wife bought some just to try a dairy free alternative for our morning coffee. I honestly can’t find the exact words to describe how weird this “half & half” tastes in coffee. I think it tastes like soap, and my wife thinks it tastes like kaopectate, so those are our 2 “halfs”! Yech!!
A Good Half and Half Substitute for Those Used to Dairy
I like the taste of dairy half and half or cream in my coffee, and most dairy-free substitutes are too sweet for me. Ripple Original Half and Half is a great dairy-free alternative to dairy half and half. There is a slight textural difference from dairy half and half, and a little grittiness at the bottom of the mug. But I think this is a great place for people to start when they’re making the switch from dairy to dairy-free half and half.
Great as a creamer and also in recipes
This dairy-free alternative works like a dream as a creamer and in place of half & half in recipes. It has a very rich mouth-feel that adds body to everything it touches – from coffee and tea to breads and sauces. As expected, the Vanilla is lightly sweet, but not overly so. The Original is savory, but has a uniquely pleasant flavor that doesn’t seem to overwhelm in recipes. Like with most substitutes, I suspect their will be some polar opinions about this product, but I’m firmly on the “love” side.
55 Comments
I was at my local Target and saw this, so I gave it a try. A nice consistency that nearly rivals the real thing! I was a little freaked out when I saw the residue at the bottom of my cup of tea. I guess that’s normal for plant-based creamers? Either way, liked it better than most vegan creamers. Gotta try the vanilla next!
Yes, I find that a little residue / settling happens with a lot of the dairy-free creamers. Glad you liked it!
I drink Irish Breakfast tea in the mornings so I definitely do not want a flavor like vanilla (or hazelnut or some of the other coffee creamer flavors). I love half and half and sugar in my tea and I have to say after trying many dairy substitutes, the Original flavor of Ripple is the best half and half alternative I’ve tried yet. I can be one step closer to vegan with good alternatives like this!
Awesome! So glad it worked out well for you Erin.
Ripple has a disgusting after taste in coffee. I was hopeful and have been trying to get used to it for the last month. After trying most of the creamer replacements with no luck, it may be time to learn to enjoy my coffee straight up with no creamer! Oh, well, maybe it works for baking.
That’s a bummer that it didn’t work out well for you Scout. Thanks for your feedback! It does work very well in baking and in sauces. It cooks very well – I’ve made several recipes and had no separation.
100% agree – Ripple is disgusting. I just tried it today after reading glowing reviews. Try Nutpods! It’s a very tasty non-dairy creamer available from Amazon. I was only looking for another product because the Nutpods packaging is so small and I’m trying to reduce my waste footprint. But it’s definitely the best non-dairy creamer out there. I recommend the Original flavor.
Yes, that is a fantastic product! We’ve got a review of it here -> https://www.godairyfree.org/product-reviews/nutpods-dairy-free-creamer
I’ve got their pumpkin spice (seasonal) in my fridge to try out soon. Ripple seems to be polarizing – I know lots of people who absolutely love it. Appreciate your cross-perspective.
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I do not like the Ripple vanilla creamer. We switched at home the coffee we had been using and I tried Ripple at the same time. I thought that maybe it was the coffee that I did not like so, I took the creamer to work. Our cafeteria brews really tasty coffee and I was excited to try the creamer in it. Nope. Same awful taste.
What I get from Ripple vanilla is an odor that is definitely vanilla. When I put it in coffee, the taste I get is smokey and woody. Not at all like the delicious vanilla odor.
Thanks for sharing your feedback Stuart! Hopefully your holy grail of creamers is out there! We’ll do our best to find it 🙂
I am always game to try a new creamer. But I keep circling back to almond-based creamers. That is where I’m headed now until another new one comes along. 🙂
It isn’t out until June, but a little insider info – I decided to do a massive creamer test and found that homemade creamers (without any additives) tend to work better. I tested dozens of homemade milks/creamers and wrote notes about each and included my favorite creamer recipes in the 2nd edition of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook (again, out in June). It surprised me that the homemade worked so well – including almond!
Found it in Sprouts. They have a good selection of dairy-free half and half or milk alternatives. It’s not bad, best of several things I’ve tried and doesn’t give me stomach pains like nut milks, but there is a bit of an aftertaste. I think it’s a matter of getting used to it. You know, just like going vegan in the first place was (and worth every minute!).
Thanks for sharing your take Carolyn!
I wanted to try the Ripple half and half, but my local stores only had the big bottles of Ripple milk. I got a bottle of unsweetened original to try. Unfortunately, I can really taste the algal oil. It’s a fishy/seaweedy taste that lingers. Pretty gross in my beverage. 🙁 Maybe in the sweetened versions it’s not noticeable. Now I have to figure out what to do with the rest of the bottle. I’ll try adding sugar and cocoa and vanilla and use it to make chia seed pudding.
Hi April, that’s interesting, I haven’t heard that complaint. You can use it in baked goods or to make things like pancakes.
Yes. I agree. There is a weird unpleasant after taste.
Can you use it for cauliflower mashed potatoes?
Probably! I think it would work well in mashed potatoes in general. It’s richer than milk beverage – like a light cream.
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I REALLY need to find this! and other Ripple products – I haven’t tried any but want to…
Yes, you really do! Check Whole Foods, Seasons, and Target – I think all three should have them.
Shop Rite had the Ripple Half and Half. I didn’t look for the milk.
Good to know – Thanks Suzanne!
I just saw this in our grocery store. I will have to give it a try.
I highly recommend it 🙂
I really enjoy Ripple creamer & so glad to see more varieties of dairy-free coming to traditional grocery stores. I’ve used it in my coffee but sometimes I use it in recipes in place of a cream or if I’m looking for a richer texture. Great stuff.
Thanks for your additional feedback Nicole!
Ok I have to giggle because I did the same thing and my husband walked in the kitchen! I’m loving it for baking and I’ve been using to make scones for our Scone Sundays! I instantly started thinking about all the holiday recipes that call for half and half that I can’t wait to try with it and it not changing the flavor or consistency.
Too funny! I know, my mind is going crazy with ideas!
I must try this!! I have my eye on a few of their other products too!
You must! Definitely worth it.
If I used creamer I would definitely add this. I love that it’s plant based!
It’s amazing as light cream / half & half (original intention!) in recipes Rachel. Definitely not just for coffee drinkers 🙂
What a helpful review! I’ve seen this more and more on IG feeds and it’s good to know the DL on it!
Happy to help with more details and honest tasting notes 🙂
Interesting! Such a detailed, review, thanks so much. I never used half and half in my coffee but almond milk is pretty watery so I’d love to try this! I’ve seen their milk in my local grocery store but not this product yet..will watch for it!
I think you will love it Deryn!
I’m always looking for a good dairy-free substitute for my coffee. I’ve never tried Ripple but it looks awesome!
It is, it really is!
oh man this is exactly what I needed for a recipe the other day! I need to see who carries it here so I can try again!
Definitely check out Target and Whole Foods Amanda.
I love thicker creamers. Many df creamers aren’t as thick as I’d like — but I trust your reviews and will give the vanilla a try!
Yep, this is a “true” half & half in consistency!