Making instant powder at home is a great way to create your own customized powdered drink mixes. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make nutrient-packed powders to take on the go or add to water or milk anytime. Here’s everything you need to know about making your own instant powder.
What is instant powder?
Instant powder, also sometimes called instant drink mix, is a powdered product that is designed to be quickly and easily reconstituted with water to make a beverage. Some common types of instant powder include:
- Instant coffee
- Hot chocolate mix
- Powdered sports drinks
- Iced tea powder
- Smoothie mixes
- Protein powders
The key characteristics of instant powder are that it dissolves rapidly in water with little to no mixing required and delivers the flavor, nutrients, and properties of the intended drink. Using instant powder is a convenient way to enjoy drinks without needing to carry around liquids.
Benefits of making your own instant powder
There are many advantages to making your own custom instant powder mixes at home, including:
- Control ingredients: You can select your own ingredients to add precisely what you want for nutrition, flavor, etc.
- Avoid additives: Many commercial drink mixes contain preservatives, sweeteners, colors, and flavors you may want to avoid. Making it yourself leaves those out.
- Customize flavors: Craft your own signature flavors by combining different fruits, herbs, spices, chocolate, etc.
- Adjust sweetness: Make it as sweet or unsweetened as you prefer.
- Portion control: Make single serve packets so you always have just what you need.
- Save money: Homemade can cost a fraction of what pre-made mixes cost.
How to Make Instant Powder
Making your own instant powder only requires a few basic steps:
- Choose your ingredients. Select items to provide the nutrition, flavor, and properties you want in your finished drink. More details below!
- Measure ingredients. Use a kitchen scale for dry ingredients to ensure proper ratios and consistency.
- Combine and blend. Mix all ingredients together until uniformly incorporated.
- Mill into a fine powder. Use a blender, food processor, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle to pulverize the mix into a super fine powder.
- Store in an airtight container. Your instant mix will keep for weeks or months in an airtight jar or resealable bags.
Be sure to label jars with the name of the mix and date made. Now just add water or milk anytime for an instant drink!
Tips for Making Instant Powder
Follow these tips for making the best instant powder:
- Use dry ingredients only for proper dissolving.
- Mix in freeze-dried fruit for extra flavor.
- Add creamer powder for richer drinks.
- Use gum acacia or xanthan gum to improve solubility.
- Try adding stevia or monk fruit for natural sweetness.
- Always mill into a super fine powder for fast mixing.
- Store in single serve packets to grab and go.
- Keep mix very dry by storing in sealed containers.
Ingredients for Instant Powders
You can create all kinds of unique instant powders using various combinations of ingredients. Here are some options to get you started:
Sweeteners
- White sugar
- Brown sugar
- Honey powder
- Stevia
- Monk fruit
- Erythritol
Flavors
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Matcha green tea powder
- Instant coffee granules
- Freeze dried fruit powder
- Vanilla powder
- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger
- Lemon, lime, orange zest
- Mint leaves
Thickeners
- Non-fat dry milk powder
- Whey protein powder
- Pectin powder
- Gum acacia
- Xanthan gum
- Guar gum
Nutrients
- Protein powder
- Moringa powder
- Baobab powder
- Maca powder
- Chlorella powder
- Spirulina powder
- Wheatgrass powder
Creamer Powders
- Instant non-dairy creamer
- Coconut cream powder
- Skim milk powder
Recipes for Homemade Instant Powders
Here are a few recipes to help you get started making your own custom instant drink mixes:
Chai Tea Latte Mix
- 3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
- 1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
- 1⁄2 cup unsweetened instant tea powder
- 1⁄4 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Iced Mocha Mix
- 1 cup instant coffee granules
- 3⁄4 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
- 3⁄4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1⁄2 cup white sugar
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
Strawberry Protein Shake Mix
- 2 cups whey protein powder
- 1 cup freeze dried strawberry powder
- 1⁄2 cup powdered peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener
Lemonade Stand Mix
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1⁄4 cup lemon powder
- 1 teaspoon citric acid
How to Use Instant Powder
Using your homemade instant powders is super easy – just follow these simple steps whenever you want a drink:
- Fill a glass with ice (for cold drinks).
- Add water, milk, or other liquid of choice.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons (or 1 packet) instant powder.
- Stir or shake briefly until fully dissolved.
- Enjoy your freshly mixed drink!
Some tips for using instant powder:
- Use cold water for iced drinks or hot water for warm beverages.
- Adjust powder amount to taste preference.
- Try different liquid bases like coconut water, almond milk, etc.
- Top with extras like whipped cream, spices, or fruit.
- Store opened powder in fridge to extend shelf life.
Troubleshooting Homemade Instant Powders
If you run into any issues with mixes not dissolving well or having consistency problems, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Ensure mix is milled into a superfine powder.
- Use a blender rather than food processor for finer grind.
- Add a small amount of gum acacia or xanthan gum to improve solubility.
- Try adding more creamer powder for smoother mouthfeel.
- Avoid using oily ingredients like cocoa butter.
- Store in an airtight container away from moisture.
- Give it a good stir or shake when mixing drink.
Storage Tips
To maintain freshness and shelf life of your homemade instant powders:
- Store in airtight glass jars or resealable plastic bags.
- Press air out before sealing storage container.
- Keep powder very dry by storing in a cool, dark place.
- Avoid humidity which can cause clumping.
- Write the date on containers so you know when it was made.
- Use within 2-3 months for best flavor.
- Refrigerate after opening to extend life.
Conclusion
Creating your own custom instant powders at home is an easy and fun way to enjoy healthy, delicious drinks anytime. Simply mix up your favorite ingredients, mill into a fine powder, and store in an airtight container. Then just add water or milk and give it a quick stir to instantly hydrate with the flavors you love. Get creative with your own powder blends!
