Horchata Recipe

Preparation

1. 1

   Rinse the Rice

   Place the long-grain white rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear. This step removes excess starch and prevents the horchata from becoming 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 the mixture to soak for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight. This helps to extract the flavors from the rice and cinnamon.

3. 3

   Blend the Mixture

   After soaking, transfer the rice, water, and cinnamon sticks to a blender. Blend on high speed until the rice is finely ground, about 1-2 minutes. This will create a milky base for the horchata.

4. 4

   Strain the Mixture

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

5. 5

   Flavor the Horchata

   To the strained liquid, add the vanilla extract, milk (or almond milk), sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until the sugar has dissolved completely.

6. 6

   Chill and Serve

   Refrigerate the horchata for at least 1 hour to chill. Serve over ice, and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired. Enjoy your refreshing horchata!