Horchata Recipe

Preparation

1. 1

   Rinse the Rice

   Begin by rinsing the long-grain white rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch, which can make the horchata too thick.

2. 2

   Soak the Rice

   In a large bowl, combine the rinsed rice and 4 cups of water. Add the two cinnamon sticks and let the mixture soak for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results. This allows the rice and cinnamon to infuse their flavors into the water.

3. 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, about 1-2 minutes.

4. 4

   Strain the Mixture

   Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the blended mixture into a large pitcher or bowl. Discard the solids left in the strainer.

5. 5

   Sweeten and Flavor

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

6. 6

   Add Milk

   Pour in 2 cups of milk (dairy or non-dairy) and stir well to combine. Adjust sweetness to taste, adding more sugar if desired.

7. 7

   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.