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Making cashew juice is easy and it starts with raw cashew nuts that you soak, blend, and strain into a creamy, dairy-free drink.
It’s a refreshing plant-based milk that’s popular in Brazil, where it’s known as leite de castanha de caju, and it works as a tasty alternative for anyone avoiding dairy.
If you’ve been wondering how to make cashew juice at home, the good news is you don’t need any special equipment beyond a blender and a little patience.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make cashew juice step by step, plus tips for flavoring it and storing it so it stays fresh.
Let’s get into it.
How to Make Cashew Juice: The Basic Method
Learning how to make cashew juice comes down to a simple process, and here’s how it works:
1. Soak the Raw Cashews
To make cashew juice, start with about one cup of raw, unsalted cashew nuts.
Soak them in filtered water for at least four hours, or overnight if you have the time.
Soaking softens the nuts so they blend into a smooth, creamy liquid instead of a gritty one.
This one step is the secret to making cashew juice that tastes silky rather than chalky.
2. Rinse and Drain the Nuts
After soaking, drain the water and give the cashews a good rinse under cold running water.
This removes the soaking liquid along with any bitterness and helps your cashew juice taste clean and fresh.
3. Blend with Fresh Water
Add the soaked cashews to a blender with about four cups of fresh filtered water.
Blend on high for one to two minutes until the mixture looks completely smooth and creamy.
When you make cashew juice, the ratio of nuts to water is what controls the thickness, so adjust it to your taste.
More water gives you a lighter cashew juice, while less water makes it richer and more milk-like.
4. Strain the Mixture
Pour the blended cashew juice through a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or a fine-mesh strainer.
Squeeze gently to get all the liquid out, then discard the pulp or save it for baking.
Straining is optional if you don’t mind a bit of texture, but most people prefer their cashew juice smooth.
5. Sweeten and Chill
Now taste your cashew juice and sweeten it if you like.
A couple of pitted dates, a spoonful of honey, or a little maple syrup all work well.
A small pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla extract round out the flavor beautifully.
Serve the cashew juice chilled and enjoy it fresh.
How to Make Cashew Juice Taste Even Better
Once you know how to make cashew juice, the fun part is flavoring it.
Cashew juice takes on flavors easily because its base taste is mild and creamy, so you can get creative.
1. Blend in Fruit
Add a banana, a handful of strawberries, or some mango chunks right into the blender.
This turns your cashew juice into a fruity smoothie that’s perfect for breakfast.
In Brazil, cashew juice is often blended with tropical fruit for a naturally sweet treat.
2. Add Warm Spices
A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom gives cashew juice a cozy, slightly spiced flavor.
This works especially well if you plan to use your cashew juice in coffee or tea.
3. Try a Chocolate Version
Blend in a tablespoon of cocoa powder and an extra date for a chocolate cashew juice that kids love.
This makes a great dairy-free alternative to chocolate milk.
Storing Cashew Juice and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Fresh cashew juice will keep in the fridge for three to four days in a sealed jar or bottle.
Shake it well before drinking, since natural separation is completely normal.
Freezing cashew juice in ice cube trays works too if you want it to last longer.
As for mistakes, the biggest one is skipping the soak, which leaves your cashew juice gritty.
Another is using roasted or salted cashews, which ruin the clean flavor, so always go raw and unsalted.
Also, don’t skip rinsing after soaking, because that’s what keeps your cashew juice tasting fresh instead of bitter.
So, How Do You Make Cashew Juice?
You make cashew juice by soaking raw cashews, blending them with fresh water, and straining the mixture into a smooth, creamy drink.
It takes just a few minutes of hands-on work, and you can sweeten and flavor it however you like.
Now that you know how to make cashew juice at home, you can enjoy a fresh, dairy-free drink anytime, and once you get the basic cashew juice recipe down, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.