Description
This creamy Horchata is a traditional Mexican drink made from rice, milk, and spices, offering a refreshing and sweet flavor. Perfect for hot days or special occasions, it’s easy to prepare and can be customized with different types of milk or sweetness levels. Enjoy it chilled over ice for a delightful treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 5 cups water (divided)
- 1 cup milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ice cubes (for serving)
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold running water in a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess starch.
- Transfer the rinsed rice to a bowl and add 2 cups of water. Soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Drain the soaked rice and discard the soaking water. Place the rice in a blender.
- Add 3 cups of fresh water to the blender and blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher, pressing down to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the rice pulp.
- To the strained rice milk, add 1 cup of milk (or almond milk), 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or cinnamon as desired.
- Cover and refrigerate the horchata for at least 2 hours to chill.
- Alternatively, serve immediately over ice if short on time.
- Stir the horchata before serving, as ingredients may settle.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the chilled horchata over the ice. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
- For a twist, add a splash of rum or flavored syrup.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Stir before serving leftovers and add more milk or water if it has thickened.
Notes
- Experiment with different types of milk for unique flavors.
- For a richer taste, add whole almonds or coconut milk during blending.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference.
- Prep Time: 240 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes