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Homemade Horchata Recipe

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4.2 from 2 reviews

This authentic Horchata recipe is a refreshing Mexican rice milk beverage made by blending long grain rice, sliced almonds, cinnamon sticks, sugar, vanilla, and milk. Chilled for several hours and strained to achieve a smooth, creamy texture, this traditional drink is perfect for serving over ice on a warm day and garnished with cinnamon for extra flavor.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups (244g) long grain white rice (dry uncooked)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) sliced almonds
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (approx 2 1/2-inches each)
  • 4 cups (945ml) cold water

Sweetener and Flavoring

  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar, or more to taste
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dairy

  • 2 cups (475ml) whole milk

Instructions

  1. Blend dry ingredients: Add the rice, almonds, and cinnamon sticks to a high speed blender. Blend on high speed for 30 to 60 seconds until finely pulverized, stopping occasionally to shake the blender if the mixture sticks to the bottom.
  2. Add liquids and sweeteners: Pour in 2 cups of cold water, the granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Blend for an additional 30 seconds. If your blender can accommodate, add the remaining 2 cups water and the whole milk; if not, transfer the mixture to a large container and add the liquids there.
  3. Chill the mixture: Cover the container or blender jar and chill in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the rice and almonds to soften further, producing a rich, creamy taste.
  4. Strain the horchata: After chilling, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove rice grains, almond pieces, and cinnamon sticks, achieving a smooth, drinkable liquid.
  5. Serve: Serve horchata over ice if desired and garnish each serving with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick for extra aroma and presentation.

Notes

  • Use a high-speed blender for best results in pulverizing the rice and almonds to maximize flavor extraction.
  • Adjust sugar amount to taste depending on desired sweetness.
  • Whole milk adds creaminess, but you may substitute with lactose-free or plant-based milks if preferred.
  • Chilling time is critical for flavor development and texture—do not skip or shorten below 8 hours.
  • For a smoother texture, strain the horchata twice if desired.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/homemade-horchata-recipe/