Picnickers packing an unopened carton
A long-life label and the instructions for after opening matter when you plan to carry the drink before serving it.
Who is this for?
Shoppers comparing unsweetened drinks
Check sugars per 100ml and the listed nutrients on each carton rather than assuming that all almond drinks have the same recipe.
Households checking ingredients and allergies
A short ingredient list may appeal, but an almond drink is not suitable for a guest with an almond allergy. Check the full allergen wording before sharing it.
What should you check?
Choose the storage format first, then compare the exact cartons for recipe, listed nutrients and allergens.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic storage | Look for long-life or UHT wording and pre-opening storage directions. Read the refrigeration and use-within instructions for after opening. | I need to pack a carton before leaving home, and I can keep it chilled if it will be opened before or during the picnic. |
| Sugars and recipe | Compare sugars per 100ml and read the ingredients. An unsweetened label does not tell you whether the recipe also contains rice or oil. | I may prefer an unsweetened drink, a short ingredient list or a different flavour and texture; those are separate choices. |
| Listed nutrients | Check the exact carton for calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine. The UK SACN and COT assessment says nutrient composition varies considerably across plant-based drinks. | If almond drink regularly replaces dairy in my meals, I want to know what this particular carton contains rather than assuming the products are equivalent. |
| Allergens | Read the almond ingredient declaration and any precautionary allergen statement on the current carton. The Food Standards Agency classifies almonds as tree nuts. | Before sharing drinks at a picnic, I need to check whether any guest has a relevant nut allergy. |
Picnic packing mistakes
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Treating a long-life carton the same after opening
Long-life describes storage before opening; the opened drink may need refrigeration. GOV.UK picnic guidance says foods normally kept in the fridge should be kept cool at a picnic.
If you will open the carton before travelling, follow its label and use a cool bag or cool box with ice or frozen gel packs.
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Assuming every almond drink has the same nutrients
The UK SACN and COT assessment reports considerable variation in plant-based drinks’ nutrient composition.
Compare the ingredients and nutrition information on the particular carton, especially if you intend to use it regularly in place of dairy milk.
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Offering almond drink as an allergy-friendly default
Almonds are tree nuts, so a dairy-free label does not make an almond drink suitable for someone with an almond allergy.
Ask about guests’ allergies and check the current carton’s ingredients and precautionary statements before serving.
Almond-drink brands to compare
Alpro
Alpro lists both Almond Original and Roasted Almond No Sugars drinks.
- Alpro describes Roasted Almond No Sugars as sugar free and lists calcium and vitamins D and B12.
- Almond Original lists sugar among its ingredients; check the variant rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Rude Health
Its Almond Drink has a recipe that includes organic rice as well as almonds.
- Rude Health lists spring water, organic rice, organic Italian almonds, sunflower oil and sea salt.
- It is not an almond-and-water-only recipe and contains almonds.
Plenish
Plenish Almond M*lk is an option for shoppers seeking a short ingredient list.
- Plenish lists almonds, spring water and salt as its three ingredients.
- Compare its nutrient label with a fortified drink if added nutrients matter to your choice.
Tesco
Tesco lists a UHT Unsweetened Almond Drink relevant to packing an unopened carton.
- The UHT listing names added calcium, iodine and vitamins.
- Check storage directions on the exact carton; a separate Tesco almond-drink listing has its own after-opening instructions.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists an Unsweetened Long Life Almond Drink in a 1L carton.
- Its listing describes an ultra-heat-treated drink fortified with calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12.
- Follow the particular carton’s directions once it is open.
M&S
M&S lists an Unsweetened Almond Drink with specific after-opening directions.
- M&S says to refrigerate the opened carton at 0°C to +5°C.
- Its listing says to consume the drink within three days of opening; check the current carton before packing it.
Joybuy almond-drink options
This long-life almond drink is an option for packing unopened cartons for a picnic; check its label for handling after opening.
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Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink, 8 x 1L
For a picnic where you can pack unopened cartons, this long-life drink comes in an 8 x 1L pack. It contains almond; check the carton for allergen wording and instructions for storage after opening.
Common questions
Can I take an opened almond-drink carton on a picnic?
Yes, if you can follow that carton’s after-opening directions and keep it chilled where required. GOV.UK picnic guidance advises keeping foods that normally need refrigeration cool, using a cool bag or cool box with ice or frozen gel packs.
Does a long-life almond drink need a cool bag?
Check the label: a long-life or UHT carton may be stored without refrigeration before opening, but its instructions change once opened. Tesco’s UHT almond-drink listing, for example, calls for refrigeration after opening.
Do almond drinks all contain the same nutrients?
No. The UK SACN and COT assessment says nutrient composition varies considerably across plant-based drinks. If you use almond drink regularly instead of dairy milk, compare the nutrients listed on the specific carton.
Can I serve almond drink to someone with a nut allergy?
Do not serve almond drink to someone with an almond allergy: almonds are tree nuts. Check the full ingredient and precautionary allergen wording for any guest with a relevant allergy.
What do use-by and best-before dates mean?
GOV.UK guidance distinguishes use-by dates, which concern food safety, from best-before dates, which concern quality. Follow the carton’s storage and after-opening directions as well as its date label.