If adults "don't need" to drink milk and that includes the plant-based alternatives that this article is about, can that be extended to claiming that adults "don't need" to eat almonds, oats, or soy? Is there something special that happens when those things are blended with plain water that renders the resulting liquid unsuitable for adults?
"don't need to" is a weird metric. You "don't need to" very many things.
Perhaps what he meant is: you don't need to drink milk to get the following nutrients: Protein, Calcium and Vitamin D. These are often endlessly touted as the reasons why people need Milk (in milk ads and marketing), to the point of where people are now repeating it in health blogs. Even health professionals are repeating it as well (for a long time now).
Excellent alternatives to plain water AND milk include: single malt Scotch, Bourbon, Shōchū, Mezcal, Tequila and in a pinch, Vodka.
Not that those alternatives aren't great but for your daily liquid intake, you're probably better off with beer, cider or wine than the hard stuff.
My friend, my comrade in arms, my nakama, why would I drink beer when bourbon is readily available?
After that comment - you very well may be my spirit animal.
excuse me while I add some plain water to my coffee.
Enjoy your Americano
Throw in a pinch of sea salt -- "admiral style". I've found the salt adds something in that it helps bring out the flavor, and takes the hard, acidy edge off.
But only good sea salt, and only a pinch. Do give it a stir to ensure it dissolves.