Alternative milks are now a staple in cafés and kitchens across Ireland. Customer preferences have shifted dramatically in the past five years, whether driven by veganism, lactose intolerance, environmental concerns, or simple curiosity.

But not all plant-based milks work well in coffee. Some curdle. Some overpower. Others just fall flat. So, which ones are actually worth offering to your customers?

We’ve tasted and tested them all. This week, we’re sharing our breakdown of the best alternative milks for cafés — and why they deserve a place on your menu. We rate them on taste, texture, and, of course, how well they froth.

Oat Milk - The Coffee Shop Staple

With its creamy texture, balanced flavour, and great frothing Oat milk is a hugely popular alternative milk for both baristas and customers alike. it has a naturally sweet, neutral taste that doesn’t overpower your coffee. It also steams and froths remarkably well, making it a top pick for baristas and home brewers alike. It’s also one of the more eco-friendly alternative milk options in terms of water and land use. Tasty and environmentally sound? Always a winner for us.

Almond Milk - An Alt with a Nutty Twist

Almond milk offers a lighter, nutty flavour alternative milk, and tends to have a thinner mouthfeel, which some people prefer. Almond has become one of the most common choices in recent years. It can be a little tricky in coffee; regular almond milk often separates or curdles when it hits hot espresso, so if you're frothing up an Almond Milk Latte, always go for a barista-specific version, designed to withstand the heat and acidity of coffee. Almond gets a bonus point as it is also lower in calories than oat milk.

 

Soy Milk- Ol' Reliable

Soy milk is tried and tested, has been around for decades, and remains a reliable choice. It has a thicker body, richer texture, and is naturally higher in protein; helping it froth well. It’s the perfect option for the gym crowd coming in for their caffeine fix after a workout. The taste can be slightly beany or sweet depending on the brand, but overall, it's a great, reliable, tried and tested alternative that blends perfectly with coffee.

Coconut Milk - For a Tropical Vibe

Coconut milk offers a distinct, unique flavour that pairs especially well with cold brews and iced lattes. It doesn’t have the same creamy body as oat or soy milk, and as a result, it doesn’t froth quite as well, and might make your barista work for the texture. Coconut milk does however, offer a little twist of the tropics into your brew, a great option to have for those hot summer days.

When we were looking for the perfect alternative milk partner, we considered three key factors: taste, texture, and frothability.... Enter SuperOat; an Irish-owned and run company with a big focus on sustainability, we instantly hit it off. They offer a variety of top-quality barista blends that are specially formulated to behave like dairy in hot drinks and cater to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences, including vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-intolerant. Not to mention that they always taste great.

Pairing McCabe's Specialty Coffee with SuperOat Alternative Milk means that no matter what you're serving up, you can be sure of a delicious, textured coffee every time.