Easy Homemade Horchata

Horchata is the cold, creamy, rice-based drink you find at many Mexican restaurants.

Unfortunately, not all of it is real horchata anymore. Many places now serve horchata from a soda fountain, which like other sodas is made with flavorings, additives and high fructose corn syrup. That’s not really horchata!

Luckily, horchata is super easy to make at home. It’s a perfect addition to taco night or really any summer meal requiring a frosty beverage.

This version is made with just rice, water, sugar and cinnamon. My guess is it would also be delicious spiked with a little vodka 😉

Buen provecho!

Easy Homemade Horchata

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

An authentic Mexican beverage at it's simplest - and best!

Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup rinsed white rice
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Whirl rice in a food processor to break into small pieces. (This takes some pulsing and a few minutes of whirling).
2. Pour into a bowl and add 3½ cups water, plus the cinnamon sticks (I used 3 but if you like a mild cinnamon taste, use 2). Cover and let stand overnight in the fridge.
3. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Purée half of the mixture in batches in a blender until very smooth, about 2 minutes.
4. Strain twice, through 3 layers of damp cheesecloth and then through a very fine strainer, into a pitcher. (It's important to thoroughly strain the mixture otherwise the horchata will taste and feel grainy).
5. Pour over ice and serve.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: ¾ cup

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