Who is choosing an almond drink?

Regular breakfast users checking fortification

If almond drink regularly goes on your cereal or porridge, or into smoothies, you may want to compare added calcium, iodine and vitamins on the carton rather than assume every recipe contains them.

Shoppers seeking less sweetness and almond flavour

If the drink is part of a leisurely breakfast, compare no-added-sugar recipes with sweeter ones and look for the almond flavour described on the exact product.

Short-ingredient-list shoppers

If you prefer a simpler recipe for cereal, porridge or smoothies, check the ingredients first and assess any desired fortification separately.

What should you check?

Start with how often you will use the drink and what you will pour it over, then compare the exact recipes rather than relying on the word ‘almond’ alone.

Priority What to check Your needs
Fortification Look for added calcium, iodine and vitamins on the exact carton. Compare the stated amounts and serving information if the drink is a regular dairy alternative. I use almond drink often at breakfast and want to know which nutrients this particular carton adds.
Sugars and flavour Read both the sugars figure per 100 ml and the ingredients. Alpro UK lists sugar as an ingredient and 2.4 g sugars per 100 ml for Almond Original; Rude Health and Plenish describe their named products as having no added sugar. For cereal or fruit, I would rather choose the level of sweetness myself; for another breakfast, I might prefer a drink with a different flavour profile.
Ingredients Compare the full recipe, not just a front-of-pack description. Rude Health lists water and 5% organic Italian almonds for Pure Almond; Plenish lists water, almonds and salt for Almond M*lk. A short ingredient list matters to me, but I will check fortification separately if I also want added nutrients.
Breakfast use Check the suggested uses on the chosen product. Rude Health mentions cereal and smoothies for Pure Almond; Plenish also names porridge and coffee for Almond M*lk. I want a drink that fits what I usually make, whether that is porridge, a smoothie or a morning coffee.
Allergens Read the ingredients and allergen statements on the exact pack. The Food Standards Agency identifies almonds as tree nuts. Someone at my table has an almond or nut allergy, so an almond-based drink is not an appropriate choice for them.

What is easy to overlook?

  • Assuming almond drink matches dairy milk nutritionally

    Fortification varies by product. In guidance for children with cow’s-milk allergy, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children’s Health also notes that nut-based milks often contain less energy and protein.

    If you use almond drink regularly in place of dairy, compare the exact carton’s calcium, iodine, vitamin and protein information.

  • Taking ‘organic’ or ‘simple’ to mean fortified

    A short recipe tells you about ingredients, not whether nutrients have been added. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children’s Health notes that organic plant milks do not usually contain added calcium.

    Choose a simple recipe if that is your preference, and check the nutrition label separately for any fortification you want.

  • Expecting every almond drink to have the same sweetness

    Alpro UK lists sugar in Almond Original, while Rude Health Pure Almond and Plenish Almond M*lk are described by their makers as having no added sugar.

    Compare ingredients and the sugars figure on the exact product before deciding what to pour over breakfast.

  • Overlooking allergens on a dairy-free carton

    Dairy-free does not mean nut-free: almonds are tree nuts, as identified by the Food Standards Agency.

    Check the exact pack’s ingredients and allergen statements, particularly when buying for someone with an allergy.

Relevant brand references

These examples illustrate different almond-drink recipes; check the specific variant rather than applying one product’s label to a whole brand.

Alpro

Alpro Almond Original is one fortified option for comparing with no-sugars and simpler recipes.

  • Alpro UK lists calcium, iodine, vitamins B12 and D2, and 2.4 g sugars per 100 ml for Almond Original.
  • Original contains sugar and other added ingredients. Its nutrition figures should not be assumed to apply to No Sugars or Barista variants.

Rude Health

Pure Almond is a short-recipe option that Rude Health describes as having a roasted almond flavour.

  • Rude Health lists water and 5% organic Italian almonds, with no added sugar, and suggests it for cereal or smoothies.
  • If added calcium, iodine or vitamins matter to you, check the chosen carton rather than inferring them from its organic ingredients.

Plenish

Plenish Almond M*lk is presented as a simple recipe for uses including cereal, porridge, smoothies and coffee.

  • Plenish lists water, organic almonds and salt, and states that the drink has no added sugar.
  • Check the carton for added nutrients if fortification is part of your breakfast requirement.

Tesco

Tesco’s almond-drink range provides an own-label product to compare with branded cartons during a supermarket shop.

  • Tesco Groceries lists a 1 L Unsweetened Almond Drink in its almond-drinks category.
  • Read the exact carton’s ingredients and nutrition panel before comparing it with another recipe.

M&S

M&S Unsweetened Almond Drink is a fortified option described for cereal and smoothies.

  • Marks & Spencer lists added calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12 for this product.
  • It contains almonds and is marked unsuitable for people with a nut allergy. Read the pack label, as product information can change.

Almond drinks on Joybuy

These Alpro listings offer a no-sugars multipack and a separate almond-drink listing for breakfast use. Compare their exact labels and pack quantities before choosing.

Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink, 8 × 1 L

Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink, 8 × 1 L

A no-sugars option for cereal or smoothies, supplied as eight 1 L cartons. If added iodine is important to your choice, check the exact carton’s nutrition and ingredient information.

View on Joybuy
Alpro Almond Drink 1 L, listing marked 6

Alpro Almond Drink 1 L (listing marked 6)

An almond drink listing relevant to cereal and hot drinks. Check the exact nutrition panel if its sugar content matters to you, and confirm whether the listing’s ‘6’ denotes a multipack before ordering.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Should an almond drink for breakfast be fortified?

If you use it regularly in place of dairy and want added nutrients, check the exact carton for calcium, iodine and vitamins. Marks & Spencer lists these for M&S Unsweetened Almond Drink, and Alpro UK lists them for Almond Original; neither label establishes what is in a different variant.

Is almond drink suitable for someone with a nut allergy?

No, an almond-based drink is not suitable for someone with an almond allergy. The Food Standards Agency identifies almonds as tree nuts; read each product’s ingredients and allergen statements when buying for someone with an allergy.

Can almond drink be a young child’s main milk drink?

Do not assume it is a like-for-like replacement. In guidance for children over one with cow’s-milk allergy, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children’s Health notes that nut-based milks often contain less energy and protein and advises checking nutrients including calcium. Seek appropriate professional advice for a child with an allergy or particular dietary needs.

How long does almond drink keep after opening?

Follow the instructions on the exact carton. Marks & Spencer says to refrigerate its Unsweetened Almond Drink at 0°C to +5°C after opening and consume it within three days; instructions for other products can differ.

Are organic almond drinks always fortified?

No. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children’s Health notes that organic plant milks do not usually contain added calcium. Check the exact carton for calcium and any other nutrients you want, rather than relying on its organic status.