Why make hemp milk at home?

Homemade hemp milk usually means blending hemp hearts with water and, if you want it smooth, pushing it through a nut milk bag. This version skips all of that. JOI Organic Hemp Base is a smooth, single-ingredient hemp seed butter you can spread on toast, and squeezed into water it becomes fresh hemp milk in about 30 seconds. You pick the strength: 1 tablespoon per cup for a light, everyday milk or 2 for a creamier pour. The flavor is nutty with a gentle earthy edge, and JOI lists 5g of plant protein per serving of the base. Below you will find the base method, ratios for coffee and cereal, three flavored versions and how long it keeps. Want the nutrition background first? Read is hemp milk a healthy plant-based milk alternative.

Why this recipe is so easy

• No soaking, straining or nut milk bag.

• Whisk or blend: both work.

• Make one cup or a full quart, whatever you will use this week.

Recipe card

• Servings: 4 cups (4 servings of 1 cup)

• Prep time: 2 minutes

• Cook time: none

• Total time: 2 minutes

• Category: Beverage, Basics

• Dietary: vegan and dairy-free by ingredients

• Equipment: blender, or a quart jar with lid plus a whisk or milk frother

Ingredients

• 4 cups cold filtered water

• 4 to 8 tbsp (1/4 to 1/2 cup) JOI Organic Hemp Base, squeezed directly into the water

• Optional: 1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup or 2 pitted Medjool dates (dates require a blender)

• Optional: 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• Optional: pinch of salt

Ratio guide (per 1 cup water)

Directions

1. Shake the bottle well, since natural separation is normal.

2. Blender method: add the water first, then squeeze in the hemp base and any optional add-ins. Blend on high for 20 to 30 seconds until smooth and lightly frothy.

3. Jar method: add the water to a quart jar, squeeze in the base, and whisk or froth for at least 20 seconds. Seal and shake for 10 seconds more.

4. Taste. Add another squeeze for a richer milk or a splash of water for a lighter one.

5. Pour into a sealed bottle and refrigerate. Shake before each pour.

Flavor variations

• Chocolate hemp milk: blend 4 cups milk with 3 tbsp cocoa powder and 3 tbsp maple syrup.

• Vanilla date: blend with 2 dates, 1 tsp vanilla and a pinch of cinnamon.

• Golden hemp milk: warm 1 cup with 1/2 tsp turmeric, a pinch of black pepper and ginger. For a full recipe, see our golden milk latte.

Why the JOI squeeze bottle works here

Ratio is everything in homemade milk. The squeeze bottle lets you portion by the tablespoon straight into a jar, then add more without measuring spoons, which is how you dial in your house strength in one or two tries.

Tips

• Water first, base second keeps the base from sticking to the blender bottom.

• For coffee, JOI notes the hemp base disperses in hot coffee and espresso without curdling. Whisk 1 to 2 tbsp straight into the cup.

• Comparing milks? Our homemade almond milk and homemade cashew milk guides use the same method.

Storage

• JOI base: pantry, cool and dark; refrigeration not required.

• Made hemp milk: refrigerate in an airtight container and use within 7 days (JOI product guidance). Separation is natural; shake before use.

• Do not leave made milk at room temperature longer than 2 hours (USDA "Danger Zone" guidance).

Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need to strain hemp milk? Not with a hemp base. It is already smooth, so there is no pulp to strain.

2. How much hemp base per cup of water? Start with 1 tbsp for light milk and 2 tbsp for creamy milk, then adjust to taste.

3. Does hemp milk contain THC or CBD? JOI's base is made from hemp seeds only and contains no CBD or THC, per the product page.

4. Why does my hemp milk separate? There are no gums or emulsifiers, so separation is expected. Shake and it comes back together.

5. Can toddlers drink hemp milk? JOI does not recommend it as a primary milk for toddlers without pediatric guidance because it is not fortified.

Make JOI part of your kitchen

A single bottle of JOI Organic Hemp Base makes about 4 quarts. Curious what is in carton milks instead? Read 5 common plant milk additives and why you should avoid them.