Almond milk was a common ingredient in Christian and Islamic cultures in the Middle Ages. The first mention appeared in a Baghdadi cookery book from the 13th century.

Almond milk is easier to digest than cow's milk. It is seen as a beverage or food ingredient and is known for its therapeutic use. 

Some people prefer rice milk to other plant milks, but it doesn't work that well in tea and coffee.

The history of rice milk is shorter. In 1921, the first rice milk factory, Vita Rice, was set up in San Francisco, and in 1990, Rice Dream started rice milk packaged in TetraPak aseptic cartons, making it more available.

The traditional drink in Spanish-speaking countries is made from ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, cashews or tiger nuts.

Each country and regions have specific horchata recipes with ingredients varying widely. Some people add cow's milk, but the original drink was only plant-based.