Coconut Water is Trending as a Milk Alternative — Here’s Why

Coconut water has always been that girl as far as refreshing drinks go. It’s packed with electrolytes and potassium making it the ultimate post-workout recovery beverage or just a perfectly refreshing afternoon drink. But recently it’s become many of your trendy local cafe’s favorite drink bases in place of milk.

Part of the appeal directly coincides with the rise in popularity of matcha and creative matcha drink combos. Coconut as a flavor is naturally compatible with matcha and many coffee drinks. It’s nutty, creamy and goes well with a lot of other flavors. It also helps that it is dairy-free and nut-free, making it an easy choice for people with allergies or sensitivities. It’s unclear where the trend originally started, but once people started swapping their milk for coconut water in café orders, the trend spread like wild fire.

Matcha is where coconut water has made the biggest splash. It’s refreshing, it’s tasty and it gives all of the hydration benefits with a boost of caffeine. All you have to do if you’re making it at home is whisk matcha with a little water, pour it over ice and coconut water, and you get a delicious, light beverage. The sweetness of the coconut water pairs well with matcha's earthy flavor meaning you don’t have to add much sweetener. Plus, the drink is very aesthetic looking if you want to post on social media.

Espresso lovers are also giving coconut water a go too. A coconut water americano swaps the regular water for coconut water, adding some nuttiness to a drink that can be a bit bitter. It also works in iced espresso drinks and cold brew. People on social media trying it are also adding coconut flavored creamer or other creamers to enhance the sweetness. Word of the wise though: if you like stronger, less sweet coffee this is probably not the trend for you. The coconut water can make espresso-based or coffee-based drinks taste a little too sweet.

Coconut water is a great way to add a refreshing twist to your drinks, but it's not a one-to-one replacement for milk. It doesn't have the creaminess of dairy or many plant-based milks, so flavor-wise and texture-wise it is very different. Additionally, the flavor can be strong and a little overpowering if coconut water is not a drink you enjoy. Though it is a unique, flavorful alternative hitting the trendy cafés.

Whether you're looking to cut back on dairy, want something lighter or just like trying new drink trends, coconut water is an easy way to switch up your regular coffee shop order.