THE BARNABY BLOG - Meet the Makers Vol. 11 -Alt Milks: Can They Enhance the Specialty Coffee Experience? - Barnaby's Tail-Wagging Guide to Plant-Based Coffee Magic - FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2025

rob72401
3 days ago
6 min read

Woof! Barnaby here, your favourite miniature schnauzer and unofficial coffee expert at Barnaby & Boo's. Now, I may not have opposable thumbs to hold a cup (tragic, really), but I've spent enough time under the espresso machine catching crumbs to know a thing or two about what makes a great coffee.

Today we're diving whisker-first into the wonderful world of alternative milks. Are they just a passing trend, or are they the real deal? Spoiler: they're pawsitivelyfantastic, and I'm here to give you the inside scoop!

The Fantastic Four: A Schnauzer's Guide to Alt Milks

Oat Milk: The Goodest Boy of the Bunch

Listen, if oat milk were a dog, it'd be a Golden Retriever—everyone loves it, it plays well with others, and it just makes people happy. This is the milk that has baristas doing little victory dances (I see everything from down here).

In the cup with Red Brick espresso: Chef's kiss! Well, chef's paw. Oat milk and slightly acidic espresso? That's like me and my favorite squeaky toy—a match made in heaven. The natural sweetness in oat milk gives those bright coffee notes a gentle hug without smothering them. It's creamy, it's balanced, and it makes my tail wag just watching people's faces light up at first sip.

Steaming and pouring: This is where oat milk really earns its treats! The barista-blend versions (Oatly Barista, Minor Figures—I'm looking at you with my big brown eyes) steam up like an absolute dream. Silky microfoam? Check. Stable for latte art? Double check. I've seen our baristas pour hearts, rosettas, and once—I swear—someone tried to pour a tiny dog. It looked more like a potato, but A for effort!

Beyond the cup: Oat milk doesn't just stop at being brilliant in coffee. Affogatos? Drool-worthy. Coffee ice cream? I'm not technically allowed any, but I've "accidentally" cleaned up a few spills. Amazing.

Soy Milk: The Wise Old Soul

Soy milk is like that distinguished older dog at the park who's been around the block and has stories to tell. It was doing the alternative milk thing before it was cool, and it deserves respect!

In the cup: Here's where it gets interesting. Soy brings this subtle, earthy complexity that some coffee purists (the sophisticated types with the fancy glasses) absolutely adore. With a bright espresso like Red Brick, it creates these lovely flavor layers. Just one tiny thing—sometimes it can curdle if you're too enthusiastic with the pour. My advice? Take a deep breath (or in my case, a big sniff), count to ten, and let that espresso cool for just a moment. Patience isn't just for waiting for dinner!

Steaming performance: Soy needs a gentle touch—kind of like when you're trying to convince me it's bath time. Not too hot! Keep it around 55-60°C and treat it kindly. The newer barista soy milks are much better behaved though. They've learned some tricks!

Cooking credentials: Soy's got protein power! Coffee-soy desserts? Woof yes! If I could bake, I'd be all over this.

Almond Milk: The Delicate Drama Queen

Almond milk is that high-maintenance poodle at the dog park—looks elegant, bit fussy, but has its charm if you appreciate the lighter things in life.

In the cup: Almond milk is like me trying to swim—enthusiastic but not quite built for it. It's thin and watery, which means you taste MORE coffee and less milk. If you're all about that bold espresso flavor with just a whisper of nuttiness, this might be your jam! But if you want creamy and luxurious? Maybe not so much.

Steaming challenges: Oh boy. Trying to get almond milk to foam properly is like trying to teach me to fetch (I bring the ball back, but I'm not giving it to you—that's MY ball). Even barista blends struggle. You might get some bubbles, maybe a wobbly heart in your latte art if the universe is feeling generous, but don't expect miracles.

Kitchen versatility: Here's where almond milk redeems itself! Iced coffee? Cold brew? Perfect! No steaming required, and that subtle almond flavor is lovely when things are chilled.

Coconut Milk: The Tropical Party Animal

Coconut milk is that dog wearing sunglasses and a bandana—bold, fun, and definitely making a statement!

In the cup: Coconut doesn't do subtle. It's like when I see a squirrel—FULL COMMITMENT, NO REGRETS. Pair it with a fruity, acidic espresso and you get tropical vacation vibes in a cup. But here's the thing: coconut will absolutely dominate the conversation. If you want to appreciate your coffee's delicate tasting notes, coconut might bark over them. But if you're in the mood for adventure? Woof yes!

Steaming: Coconut is a bit unpredictable—kind of like me when the doorbell rings. Barista blends foam reasonably well, but that foam settles faster than I do after the postman leaves. Drink it quick!

Culinary bonus points: Vietnamese iced coffee with coconut milk? I don't have words, just happy whimpers. This is where coconut milk truly shines!

The Sustainability Sniff Test: Being a Good Dog to the Planet

Serious Barnaby face (yes, I have one). Many humans started trying alt milks to help the planet, and that makes my tail wag because I quite like this planet—lots of good smells and interesting things to sniff.

The good news: ALL four alternative milks are better for the environment than dairy. It's like choosing between four different walking routes that are all better than staying on the couch (though I won't judge couch time).

The nuanced news:

Oat milk is the sustainability champion! Low water needs, grows easily, doesn't travel too far. If oat milk were a dog, it'd be winning Best in Show for eco-friendliness.
Soy milk is pretty good too, though there's some complicated stuff about farming. But fun fact: most soy problems are because of animal feed, not your latte!
Almond milk is the one that makes me tilt my head in confusion. Almonds need SO MUCH water—like, imagine every almond getting its own water bowl. And most come from drought-prone California. Not ideal.
Coconut milk has to travel really far—most coconuts grow in tropical places. That's a lot of food miles, but the crop itself is pretty sustainable.

The verdict? If you're doing this for the planet (good human!), oat milk is your best bet. But honestly? Any alternative milk is better than dairy for Mother Earth.

Are They Worth The Extra Treats? Er, Cost?

Let's talk kibble... I mean, money. Alternative milks usually cost £0.30-0.60 more per coffee. That's approximately one-and-a-half dog treats by my calculations (I'm very good at math when treats are involved).

Worth it? Well:

For flavor adventures: Absolutely! Different milks are like different walking routes—same destination, totally different experience!
For dietary needs: Obviously yes! Some humans can't do dairy, just like some dogs shouldn't eat chocolate (tragic).
For the environment: That extra cost? That's your contribution to keeping the park—er, planet—beautiful.
For barista skills: Oat milk is fantastic for practicing latte art!

You're not paying extra for less—you're paying for different but equally awesome.

The Bottom Line: Tail Wags All Around

The coffee world has evolved beyond silly arguments. Quality alternative milks—especially oat milk—have proven themselves worthy of their spot on the menu. They're not pretending to be dairy; they're celebrating being something different!

With a complex, slightly acidic espresso like Red Brick, here's my professional schnauzer assessment:

Oat milk: Most balanced, best for beginners, easiest to love
Soy milk: Earthy complexity for the adventurous
Coconut milk: Tropical boldness for the brave
Almond milk: Light and coffee-forward for the purists

But here's the real magic: CHOICE! Having options means everyone gets to explore, experiment, and find what makes their tail wag... or, you know, makes them happy.

So yes, alternative milks absolutely enhance the specialty coffee experience—you just have to approach them as unique ingredients rather than dairy substitutes.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have important napping to do. Someone might drop a biscotti crumb, and I take my job very seriously.

Woof! 🐾

Come visit me at Barnaby & Boo's! I'll be the handsome miniature schnauzer judging your milk choice (just kidding—I support all your choices as long as you scratch behind my ears).

P.S. What's YOUR favorite alternative milk? Drop a comment below and tell me all about it! Bonus points if you're team coconut—I respect bold choices! 🥥☕

Keywords: alternative milk, oat milk, specialty coffee, plant-based milk, barista milk, coffee alternative, dairy-free coffee, sustainable coffee, vegan coffee, almond milk coffee, soy milk latte, coconut milk cappuccino