For a smooth coffee or hot chocolate, choose a coconut drink; if you want to use a milk frother, look for a barista-style option. Culinary coconut milk is better suited to a richer preparation, provided you follow the dilution instructions. Whichever format you choose, check the vegan label on the exact product before considering it certified.
You want the certification to apply specifically to the coconut drink or milk you’re buying, not just to the brand or another product in its range. The French Vegetarian Association distinguishes between the vegetarian and vegan versions of the V-Label.
If you’re making a latte, cappuccino or hot chocolate with a milk frother, you’re looking for a coconut drink made for that purpose, rather than culinary coconut milk that needs diluting. Bjorg, for example, describes its Coco Barista as suitable for use with a milk frother.
You might be choosing between a smooth coconut drink, a no-added-sugar option and a richer culinary milk. Comparing the nutritional information and preparation instructions for each product can help you get the result you want in your cup.
First decide whether you want a smooth drink, a frothy one or something to make with concentrated coconut milk. Then check that the exact product is vegan-certified, followed by its ingredients and pack size.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan certification | Check the label on the exact product: according to the French Vegetarian Association, the V-Label comes in vegetarian and vegan versions. | I want to confirm the vegan status of the coconut drink I’m buying, rather than relying on the product range name alone; around 36% of shoppers put this first. |
| Texture and froth | Check the intended use stated on the product: a drink to pour, a formula suitable for a milk frother or culinary milk to dilute. | For my latte or hot chocolate, the result in the cup matters more than anything else; around 29% of shoppers prioritise froth or creaminess. |
| Sugar and fat | Compare the sugar and fat per 100 ml, as well as the ingredients list, across products designed for the same use. | If I make hot drinks often, I want to make an informed choice about how sweet and rich they are; this is a priority for around 21% of shoppers. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose a volume that suits your needs and check the storage instructions for that specific product after opening. | When I only use coconut milk occasionally, I’d rather be able to finish the pack within the recommended time; around 14% of shoppers make their choice based first on pack size and storage. |
These formats don’t necessarily need to be prepared in the same way. For a drink made with its 400 ml coconut milk, Jardin BiO étic recommends using around one part coconut milk to three parts water, then heating it.
Choose a format that gives you the texture you want, then check the dilution instructions and nutritional information for the specific product.
Carrefour says its Sensation Végétal range includes V-Label products, but that doesn’t confirm that every coconut product is vegan-certified. The French Vegetarian Association also explains that the V-Label has two distinct versions.
Check that the certification appears on the exact product and that it specifically says vegan.
The Bjorg Coco Barista formula mentioned in the brand’s information contains soya, even though coconut features in its name.
If you need to avoid an ingredient, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the product you’re buying before choosing a formula for frothing.
Storage instructions after opening vary: Jardin BiO étic says to refrigerate its 400 ml coconut milk and use it within four days, while TerraSana recommends a maximum of three days for its 80% coconut product.
Choose a volume that suits the number of drinks you plan to make, and follow the storage time shown on the pack you buy.
Carrefour describes this as a plant-based range and lists a 1 L coconut plant drink.
A 1 L Alpro coconut plant drink is among the products listed by Carrefour.
Bjorg offers different coconut products for everyday drinks, frothing and cooking.
Its 400 ml culinary coconut milk can be used to make a diluted hot drink.
Its 80% coconut product is intended for making a more concentrated homemade drink than a ready-to-pour coconut drink.
No. Its name or a recipe that looks plant-based doesn’t prove it is certified. Check the exact product; according to the French Vegetarian Association, only the vegan version of the V-Label, which is distinct from the vegetarian version, confirms that its ingredients are plant-based.
A coconut drink is suitable for a smooth drink, while a barista-style formula is worth considering if you use a milk frother: Bjorg recommends its Coco Barista for this purpose. For a richer preparation, follow the dilution instructions for your chosen culinary coconut milk. For a breakfast drink, Jardin BiO étic recommends using around one part coconut milk to three parts water.
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought rather than assuming the same storage time applies to all coconut milk. Jardin BiO étic says to refrigerate its 400 ml pack and use it within four days of opening; TerraSana recommends a maximum of three days for its 80% coconut product.