Horchata Cold Recipe

1. Soak rice

Rinse 1 cup long-grain white rice under cold water until the rinse runs mostly clear. Transfer rinsed rice to a medium heatproof bowl. Pour 2 cups hot (not boiling) water over the rice and add the whole cinnamon stick (if using). Stir, cover, and let soak at room temperature for 1 hour. Soaking softens the rice and releases flavor.

2. Blend rice mixture

After soaking, remove the cinnamon stick and discard (or reserve for infusion if you like stronger flavor). Transfer the rice and its soaking water to a blender. Add 1 cup whole milk and blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes until the rice is finely ground and the liquid is milky. If your blender is small, blend in two batches.

3. Strain and combine

Place a fine-mesh strainer lined with a double layer of cheesecloth (or a nut milk bag) over a large pitcher. Pour the blended rice mixture through to strain out solids, pressing gently with a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the rice solids or save for another use (rice porridge).

4. Sweeten and finish

To the strained rice liquid in the pitcher, add 2 cups cold water, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt. Stir vigorously until the sugar is fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness or cinnamon to preference. If you prefer a thinner horchata, add additional cold water 1/4 cup at a time.

5. Chill

Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the horchata for at least 1 hour (preferably 2–4 hours) to allow flavors to meld and the drink to become fully cold. If you used a cinnamon stick for stronger infusion, you may return a fresh cinnamon stick to the pitcher while chilling.

6. Serve

Fill glasses with ice (about 1/2 cup ice per 8-10 oz glass). Stir the chilled horchata well and pour over ice. Garnish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick if desired. Serve immediately.

7. Sprinkle about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon on each glass just before serving for aroma and presentation. Add a cinnamon stick to each glass for stirring and garnish.