Description
Enjoy the authentic taste of Horchata, a traditional creamy and refreshing rice-based beverage from Latin America, featuring fragrant cinnamon and vanilla with a smooth, sweet finish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 4 cups water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups milk (whole milk, almond milk, or rice milk for a vegan option)
Garnish
- Ground cinnamon, for garnish
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Soak the Rice: Rinse the white rice under cold water until clear. Place it in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak for at least 4 hours or overnight to soften the rice.
- Drain the Rice: Drain the soaked rice and discard the soaking water to prepare for blending.
- Blend Ingredients: In a blender, combine the soaked rice, 4 cups of fresh water, and the cinnamon sticks. Blend on high for about 2 minutes until the rice is finely ground and the cinnamon sticks are well incorporated.
- Strain the Mixture: Pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large pitcher or bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible for a smooth drink.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved into the rice liquid.
- Incorporate Milk: Add the milk of choice (whole milk, almond milk, or rice milk) to the mixture and stir until fully combined.
- Chill: Refrigerate the Horchata for at least 2 hours to cool and allow the flavors to blend beautifully.
- Serve: Stir the Horchata well before serving. Pour over glasses filled with ice cubes and garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick for an authentic presentation.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, blend the soaked rice with 4 cups of milk instead of water.
- Adjust sugar to suit your taste; increase for a sweeter drink or reduce for a milder sweetness.
- Try serving Horchata over ice with a splash of cold brew coffee for a delicious Horchata Iced Latte twist.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and shake or stir well before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Latin American
