Horchata (or Horchata de Arroz) is my favorite Mexican drink! Anytime I make Mexican cuisine for dinner, this authentic Mexican horchata recipe is on the menu. This smooth and creamy drink is plant-based and made from rice. Let's get to it!
What Is Horchata?
Horchata is a plant-based milk that is sweetened with spices and a variety of other ingredients that make it creamy and delicious. Horchata originates from Spain and has made its way all over the world. Different parts of the world have their own unique recipe for Horchata and ways to drink it but what it is remains the same wherever you are; a sweet (typically chilled or cold) beverage.
Recipe Ingredients
1 cup long grain white rice
¼ cup slivered, blanched almonds
1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
5 cups room temperature water, divided
1 (14 oz) can evaporated milk
1 (12 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
How to Make Horchata
Step 1: In a medium bowl, mix the white rice, almonds, cinnamon stick, and 2 cups of water. Let it soak overnight until the rice grains can easily be broken by pressing them between your fingers.
Step 2: Pour the rice and water mixture into a blender or food processor and blend until everything is completely smooth.
Step 3: Strain the mixture through a sieve and a cheesecloth to catch any large pieces. You may need to do this a few times to get it completely smooth.
Step 4: Add the rice mixture to a large pitcher along with the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, vanilla, and 3 cups of water. Stir to combine.
Step 5: Serve over ice and enjoy!
Storage Instructions
If you don’t consume the Horchata right away or you make it ahead of time make sure you put it in the refrigerator to avoid any bacterial growth.
This authentic Mexican horchata recipe will stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days.
FAQs
This horchata recipe is best when you use long-grain white rice, but you can also use your favorite kind of rice.
I recommend rinsing your rice before you combine it with the almonds, cinnamon stick, and water so that your mixture is clean and consumable!
You will want to soak your rice overnight until the rice grains can easily be broken by pressing them between your fingers.
Make this horchata recipe dairy free by omitting the milk ingredients for oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or any other milk substitute you love.
Horchata tastes like cinnamon milk. It's creamy and smooth and some say it has a similar taste to rice pudding.
Homemade horchata will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Horchata is naturally pretty sweet but if you're wanting it even sweeter you can add agave or honey.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Serve chilled with ice
- Make sure to blend the rice and almond mixture very well before straining. This may take anywhere between 1-5 minutes.
- You may need to strain the rice mixture a few times in order for it to be completely smooth.
- Omit the almonds for a nut-free alternative
- Some recipes call for granulated sugar instead of sweetened condensed milk. Feel free to substitute if you’d prefer.
📖 Recipe
Authentic Mexican Horchata
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- ¼ cup slivered blanched almonds
- 1 cinnamon stick (broken into pieces)
- 5 cups water (room temperature)
- 1 can evaporated milk (14 oz can)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (12 oz can)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the white rice, almonds, cinnamon stick, and 2 cups of water. Let it soak overnight until the rice grains can easily be broken by pressing them between your fingers.
- Pour the rice and water mixture into a blender or food processor and blend until everything is completely smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a sieve and a cheesecloth to catch any large pieces. You may need to do this a few times to get it completely smooth.
- Add the rice mixture to a large pitcher along with the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, vanilla, and 3 cups of water. Stir to combine.
- Serve with ice and enjoy!
Nutrition
Here's 3 more homemade beverages that I love:
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Easy Homemade Rice Milk Recipe
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