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Creamy Homemade Horchata

Creamy Homemade Horchata

Creamy Homemade Horchata is a traditional Mexican beverage that is refreshingly sweet and luxuriously smooth. Made with long grain white rice, cinnamon, milk, vanilla, and sugar, it offers a perfect balance of warm cinnamon and vanilla flavors with a silky smooth texture. Ready in under 15 minutes, this versatile drink can be enjoyed iced in the summer or warmed during cooler months, customizable to various dietary preferences including vegan options.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed thoroughly
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 cups warm water

Creamy Additions

  • 2 cups whole milk or plant-based milk (almond, oat, or coconut)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sugar or sweetener of choice

Optional Ingredients

  • Optional toasted nuts such as almonds
  • Pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for spiced twist
  • Cocoa powder or chocolate syrup for chocolate variation
  • Soaked cashews or almonds for nutty addition

Instructions

  1. Soak the Rice and Cinnamon: Rinse 1 cup of long grain white rice thoroughly. Place the rice and 2 cinnamon sticks into a large bowl and cover with 4 cups of warm water. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes to soften the rice and release its starch and flavors.
  2. Blend until Smooth: Transfer the soaked rice, cinnamon sticks, and soaking water into a blender. Blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is as smooth as possible, creating the creamy base of the horchata.
  3. Strain the Mixture: Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a pitcher, pressing or squeezing to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the rice solids or save them for another recipe.
  4. Add Milk and Sweeteners: Add 2 cups of whole milk or your preferred plant-based milk, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the strained rice water. Stir well until the sugar dissolves, adjusting sweetness to your taste.
  5. Chill and Serve: Chill your horchata in the fridge for at least one hour. Serve over ice and enjoy a cool, silky-smooth refreshing drink. Optionally, garnish with a cinnamon stick or sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

Notes

  • Use warm water for soaking to help release flavor and starch from rice faster.
  • Blend thoroughly for the creamiest, smoothest texture.
  • Whole milk provides extra richness; plant-based options offer great alternatives.
  • Sweeten gradually and taste as you go to avoid overpowering sweetness.
  • Consider adding a vanilla bean or a pinch of ground cinnamon after blending for enhanced aroma.
  • Store horchata in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days, stirring before serving.
  • Freezing is not recommended due to possible texture changes upon thawing.
  • If preferred warm, gently heat without boiling to preserve flavors.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes plus 30 minutes soaking
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Beverages
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: homemade horchata, creamy horchata, Mexican beverage, rice drink, cinnamon drink, vegan horchata, plant-based horchata