Description
A refreshing and creamy Mexican-inspired Horchata recipe made from soaked long-grain white rice, warm cinnamon, and sweetened milk. This traditional beverage is perfectly chilled and served over ice, offering a delightfully smooth texture with hints of vanilla and cinnamon, ideal for a cooling treat.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 Mexican cinnamon sticks
- 4 cups hot water
Flavorings and Sweeteners
- 2 cups milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/3 to 1/2 cups granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Blend Rice and Cinnamon: Add the uncooked rice, 2 cups of hot water, and 2 Mexican cinnamon sticks to a blender. Blend until the rice and cinnamon sticks are roughly ground, approximately 1-2 minutes ensuring pieces are broken down but not liquefied.
- Incorporate Remaining Water: Add the remaining 2 cups of hot water to the blender and blend again briefly for about 30 seconds to fully mix the liquid and ground ingredients.
- Soak Overnight: Pour the blended mixture into a pitcher or container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to soften further.
- Strain Mixture: After soaking, strain the rice mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean pitcher. Discard the leftover rice solids to ensure a smooth drink.
- Add Flavor and Sweeten: Stir in the milk, vanilla bean paste, ground cinnamon, and granulated sugar to taste. Mix thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the prepared horchata until cold. Stir well before serving and pour over ice cubes for a refreshing finish.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute regular milk with almond milk or other plant-based milks.
- Adjust the amount of sugar to your preferred level of sweetness.
- Mexican cinnamon sticks provide a distinct flavor, but Ceylon cinnamon sticks can be used as an alternative.
- Soaking time can be extended up to 12 hours for a more intense cinnamon and rice flavor.
- Stir well before serving as natural separation may occur.
