Jul 13 2026

Horchata Recipe

Time4h
Serves6

Traditional Mexican rice drink with cinnamon and vanilla.

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Ingredients

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Rice Mixture

Garnish

Method

Prepare the Rice Mixture

  1. 1

    Rinse the Rice

    In a fine mesh strainer, rinse the long-grain white rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the horchata from becoming too thick.

  2. 2

    Soak the Rice

    In a large bowl, combine the rinsed rice, 4 cups of water, and the cinnamon sticks. Let the mixture soak for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.

Blend and Strain

  1. 3

    Blend the Mixture

    After soaking, remove the cinnamon sticks and transfer the rice and water mixture to a blender. Blend on high speed until the rice is finely ground and the mixture looks milky.

  2. 4

    Strain the Mixture

    Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the blended mixture into a large pitcher or bowl, discarding the solid rice particles. This will leave you with a smooth rice milk base.

Add Flavoring

  1. 5

    Combine Ingredients

    To the strained rice milk, add 1 tsp of vanilla extract, 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, and 2 cups of milk (whole or almond). Stir well to combine all ingredients.

  2. 6

    Sweeten and Spice

    Taste the horchata and add granulated sugar to your liking. If desired, add 1 tsp of ground cinnamon for extra flavor. Mix until fully dissolved.

Serve

  1. 7

    Chill and Serve

    Refrigerate the horchata for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve it over ice, and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon powder on top for added flavor.

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