Horchata Recipe

Preparation

1. 1

   Soak the Rice

   Rinse the long-grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Place the rinsed rice in a bowl and add 2 cups of water. Soak for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

2. 2

   Blend Ingredients

   After soaking, drain the rice and place it in a blender. Add the cinnamon stick and 2 cups of fresh water. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and the rice is finely ground, about 1-2 minutes.

3. 3

   Strain the Mixture

   Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the blended mixture into a large bowl or pitcher. Make sure to press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.

4. 4

   Combine with Milk and Sweetener

   To the strained liquid, add 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir well to combine.

5. 5

   Chill and Serve

   Refrigerate the horchata for at least 30 minutes to chill. Serve over ice in glasses and sprinkle with ground cinnamon if desired. Optionally, add a cinnamon stick for garnish.