BY: REBECCA BELENKY, Postpartum Doula and founder of LOS ANGELES BIRTH
There is something so comforting about a warm cup of tea when I'm feeling stressed or tired. I make a LOT of teas and broths for my clients during postpartum visits. But variety is the spice of life, and sometimes it's nice to have something a little different to drink. Sometimes you've just had enough Mother's Milk tea for one day!
During postpartum, when feeding yourself can be challenging, having a drink with some extra calories can be really helpful. Cashews provide fats, some protein, and minerals like magnesium, while dates add carbohydrates, fiber, and natural sweetness. Together, they make a satisfying drink that's easy to grab from the refrigerator when you need a little energy boost.
This homemade cashew date milk is a new favorite of mine. It's rich, creamy, naturally sweet, and surprisingly simple. It feels like a decadent little treat.
How This Recipe Came About
I started experimenting with soaking raw cashews while making vegan smoothies. I felt like I was blowing through cartons of nut milk, so finding a way to use basic ingredients without additives or packaging felt like a win. I was surprised by how rich and creamy the smoothies became without yogurt, milk, or other cream-based ingredients.
Around the same time, I was working with a postpartum client who had a lot of dates left in her pantry.
Dates have gained a lot of mainstream attention as a pregnancy food, especially in the final weeks, because research suggests they may benefit labor. As a result, many pregnant people have LOTS of dates on hand.
But after weeks of eating dates, you can get sick of them too!
I started thinking about how to use those dates to make something more well-rounded, and this cashew date milk was born.
Soaked cashews create a creamy base, dates add just the right amount of sweetness, and a little vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt bring it all together.
Homemade Cashew Date Milk Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup raw cashews (unsalted)
4 cups filtered water
8 dates, pits removed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Place the raw cashews and pitted dates in a container with 2 cups of filtered water.
Cover and soak overnight in the refrigerator; a quart mason jar works perfectly.
The following day, pour the cashews, dates, and soaking water into a blender.
Add the vanilla, salt, spices, and remaining 2 cups of filtered water.
Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Pour into small mason jars or another airtight container and refrigerate until chilled.
Shake before drinking, and enjoy!
Storage: Keep refrigerated in a sealed container and use within 3–4 days. Some separation is natural, so give it a good shake before drinking.
A Few Ways to Serve Cashew Date Milk
I like drinking this milk cold, straight from the refrigerator, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy it.
Try serving it over ice, warming it gently, or adding a splash to your morning coffee or tea. It's also delicious over oatmeal or blended into a smoothie.
A recent client had a new ritual of warming this milk in her milk steamer and adding it to her leftover morning coffee. She and her mom would sit and drink it while the baby nursed and her mom rubbed her feet. What a sweet and meaningful moment to share each afternoon.
Small Things That Make Postpartum Easier
As a postpartum doula, I love helping with the everyday tasks that make life with a new baby a little easier.
Sometimes that's making a pot of soup, preparing a snack, or getting a meal started while a parent rests or feeds their baby. Other times, it's filling a few jars with cashew date milk so there's something good waiting in the refrigerator.
I hope you'll try this recipe, whether you're preparing for postpartum, caring for a new baby, or simply looking for something delicious to make at home.
If you're expecting a baby and looking for postpartum doula support in Pasadena or the surrounding Los Angeles communities, I'd love to hear from you. Contact me here or learn more about my postpartum support.
Continue Exploring Birth, Labor, and Support in Los Angeles
✨ If you’d like more practical, real-life prenatal support from Los Angeles Birth, here are additional birth and postpartum resources for Los Angeles families:
Birth Doula Support in Los Angeles
A closer look at what it means to have continuous birth doula support through pregnancy and labor.Healthy Spiced Banana Muffins
A simple, nourishing recipe that’s easy to prep ahead and perfect for postpartum recovery.Private Childbirth Education
Learn about how you can benefit from personalized, private birth classes in your home.
About Rebecca Belenky
Rebecca Belenky is a Los Angeles–based doula, childbirth educator, and lactation educator who has supported families since 2014. Through her practice, Los Angeles Birth, she offers compassionate, trauma-informed care that helps parents feel informed, grounded, and confident through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
