Start by comparing fat per 100 ml: Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink and Almond Breeze Unsweetened Fresh Drink each list 1.1 g, while Sainsbury's Unsweetened Almond Drink lists 1.4 g, according to their UK retail listings. The legislation.gov.uk annex gives 1.5 g per 100 ml as the low-fat figure for liquids; for a Christmas shop, also check the exact carton's allergens, listed nutrients and instructions for hot drinks and storage after opening.
If you want an almond drink for Christmas breakfasts or recipes, compare the fat figure per 100 ml rather than relying on an unsweetened label. The legislation.gov.uk annex gives 1.5 g per 100 ml as the low-fat figure for liquids.
If an almond drink is part of your regular dairy-free shop, the exact nutrient declaration may matter alongside fat content. Tesco, Sainsbury's and M&S list calcium, iodine and selected vitamins for their unsweetened drinks.
If you plan tea, coffee or cocoa over Christmas, check preparation guidance before choosing a carton. Its storage instructions after opening also matter if you expect to use it only occasionally.
Compare like-for-like nutrition figures first, then consider what is in the drink and how you will use an opened carton.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Read fat per 100 ml, not just per serving. The legislation.gov.uk annex gives no more than 1.5 g per 100 ml as the low-fat figure for liquids. | I want to compare cartons on the same basis before adding one to a low-fat Christmas shop. |
| Listed nutrients | Compare the exact carton's declarations for calcium, iodine and vitamins. Do not assume that different almond drinks list the same nutrients. | If this will be a regular dairy-free drink at breakfast, I want to know which nutrients its label actually lists. |
| Allergens | Check the almond declaration and any warnings about peanuts or other nuts on the current pack. The Food Standards Agency identifies almonds as nuts. | For a shared Christmas shop, I need to know whether anyone who will be served the drink has a relevant nut allergy. |
| Hot drinks and storage | Read the preparation advice for hot liquids, then check refrigeration and use-after-opening instructions for the specific carton. | I may use it for festive drinks only now and then, so heating guidance and the opened-carton period affect which pack is practical. |
Sugar and fat are different label measures. The legislation.gov.uk annex gives a fat figure of no more than 1.5 g per 100 ml for a low-fat liquid.
Check fat per 100 ml on the carton, even when the front says “no added sugar” or “organic”.
Product information from Tesco, Sainsbury's and M&S lists calcium, iodine and selected vitamins for their unsweetened drinks. The Almond Breeze listing names calcium and vitamins but does not list iodine in its published panel.
Compare the nutrient declaration for the precise product and format you intend to buy.
The published instructions differ: Tesco and Almond Breeze say to use their drinks within five days of opening, while Sainsbury's and M&S say three days.
Check the carton's own instructions and plan when you will open it.
A carton left unfinished beyond its stated opened-life period may go to waste.
Almond is a nut allergen, and individual products may also warn about peanuts or other nuts.
Do not serve an almond drink to someone with an almond allergy. Check the current pack for any other relevant allergen warnings before buying.
These product lines offer different label details to compare; a brand name alone does not establish the fat content or suitability of every variant.
Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink is a 1 L own-label option listing 1.1 g fat per 100 ml.
Sainsbury's Unsweetened Almond Drink is a 1 L own-label option listing 1.4 g fat per 100 ml.
M&S Plant Kitchen Unsweetened Almond Drink is a 1 L option with calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12 listed in its product information.
Alpro Almond No Sugar Long Life Dairy Free Drink is a UHT almond drink described as having no sugars or sweeteners.
Plenish Almond M*lk is described by Plenish as containing water, organic almonds and salt.
Rude Health Almond Drink is described by the brand as organic and containing no added sugar.
A long-life almond drink multipack to consider when shopping ahead of Christmas.
No image available
The 8 × 1 L long-life pack is an option for buying ahead of Christmas. If low fat is your priority, compare the carton's fat per 100 ml with the 1.5 g figure in the legislation.gov.uk annex; also check its almond-allergen statement and instructions for storage after opening.
Use the fat figure per 100 ml so that different cartons are compared on the same basis. The legislation.gov.uk annex gives no more than 1.5 g per 100 ml as the low-fat figure for liquids; check the current carton rather than relying on its front label alone.
No. “Unsweetened” concerns sugars, not the fat figure. Read fat per 100 ml separately: Tesco and Almond Breeze each list 1.1 g per 100 ml, while Sainsbury's lists 1.4 g per 100 ml in their UK product information.
Check the instructions for the drink you buy. Tesco advises adding its almond drink before hot liquid and not mixing it with boiling water; Sainsbury's advises letting water cool slightly because its drink can separate in hot drinks.
Do not serve an almond drink to someone with an almond allergy: the Food Standards Agency identifies almonds as nuts. Read the current pack for any additional peanut or other-nut warnings relevant to your household.
Follow the specific carton's storage instructions. The Tesco and Almond Breeze listings say to use their drinks within five days of opening; the Sainsbury's and M&S listings say three days. All four give refrigeration instructions after opening.