From Hawaii to Vogue—How PlantBaby’s Kiki Milk Is Changing the Alt-Milk Game
PlantBaby develops a portfolio of organic, plant-based foods and beverages designed to support children's nutritional needs from infancy through childhood.
The alt-milk aisle has never been more crowded—or more creative. From soy and almond to oat and pistachio, dairy-free options have officially gone mainstream. But a new generation of plant-based milks is pushing beyond imitation, building products that stand on their own merits—and Vogue just spotlighted the brands leading the charge.
Among them? Kiki Milk, a standout from Hawaii-based company PlantBaby, co-founded by husband-and-wife team Alex Abelin and Lauren Abelin, that’s quietly reshaping the category with an island-rooted philosophy and next-level ingredients.
Nature-First, Nutrition-Focused
Kiki Milk’s formula isn’t just plant-based—it’s planet-conscious and nutrition-forward. The blend starts with oat milk, then layers in organic hemp and pumpkin seeds, coconut, bananas, South Asian superfruit amla, and Aquamin™, an algae-based mineral complex. The result is a nutrient-dense, kid-approved alternative that’s designed to fuel both body and imagination.
“At its core, Kiki Milk is about reconnecting people to real food and nature,” said Rebecca Zimmermann, PlantBaby’s director of communications. “The best ingredients come straight from the earth, and that philosophy continues to guide us.”
While other brands tinker with oil-heavy or ultra-processed additives to mimic dairy’s texture, Kiki Milk relies on whole-food ingredients to deliver creaminess with purpose—and purpose is what sets them apart.
Island Roots and Rainbow Branding
Beyond what’s in the carton, Kiki Milk is creating a brand world as vibrant as its home base of Kauai. Inspired by Hawaii’s identity as the “rainbow state,” the brand leans into colorful, playful packaging that’s designed to delight both parents and kids.
“We also like to think of ourselves as the Pixar of milk—infusing a sense of play into everything we create,” Zimmermann added. It’s a refreshing contrast in an aisle dominated by minimalist oat milk cartons and subdued health-food branding. Kiki Milk doesn’t shy away from joy—and in a category that’s increasingly crowded, that makes all the difference.
The Bigger Alt-Milk Moment
Kiki Milk is in good company. Vogue’s roundup of next-gen alt-milks featured other standouts like:
Táche: Pistachio milk with a luxe edge and 75% smaller water footprint than almonds.
Koatji: A Michelin-chef-developed blend of oats and fermented koji rice, delivering umami flavor and better digestibility.
Lattini: Sunflower seed milk for allergen-free, eco-conscious sippers.
Minor Figures and Willa’s: Taking oat milk to the next level with clean ingredients and aesthetic upgrades.
The plant-based milk industry topped $12 billion by 2019, with 11% projected growth through 2026, according to Global Market Insights. But this new generation of brands isn’t just riding the wave—they’re building the next one.
As Vogue writes, these are “products that don’t just check the ‘alternative’ box… they have to be exceptional in their own right.” Kiki Milk is doing just that—one island-born, nutrient-rich, rainbow-colored carton at a time.
Read more on Vogue
Listen to Alex Abelin with Becca Millstein on the Venture Everywhere podcast: Uncanny Products. Now on Apple & Spotify and check out all our past episodes here!
