Horchata Recipe

Preparation

1. 1

   Rinse the Rice

   Place the long grain white rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the horchata from being too thick.

2. 2

   Soak the Rice

   In a large bowl, combine the rinsed rice and 4 cups of water. Add the cinnamon sticks and allow to soak for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This helps to soften the rice and infuse the water with cinnamon flavor.

3. 3

   Blend the Mixture

   After soaking, transfer the rice, cinnamon sticks, and water to a blender. Blend on high until the rice is very finely ground and the mixture appears milky, about 1-2 minutes.

4. 4

   Strain the Liquid

   Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the liquid into a large pitcher or bowl, discarding the solid rice and cinnamon. This will give you a smooth horchata base.

5. 5

   Sweeten the Horchata

   To the strained liquid, add 1 cup of sugar, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved.

6. 6

   Add Milk

   Pour in 2 cups of milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free version) and mix until fully combined. Adjust sweetness if necessary.

7. 7

   Chill and Serve

   Refrigerate the horchata for at least 2 hours to chill. Serve over ice and enjoy your refreshing horchata!