Horchata Recipe

Horchata de Arroz is a popular & refreshing Mexican drink made with ground rice, milk and cinnamon. Learn how to make this delicious drink with these step by step instructions!

One of the reasons Horchata is very popular in Mexico, is that it’s the perfect pairing for spicy & flavorful meals. Every time I make Pozole, Entomatadas, or Bistec Ranchero, you’ll see Horchata on my table….It’s also my favorite drink and it’ll be yours soon too

My recipe is for traditional Mexican horchata but I’ve seen versions around the web to fit today’s different diet needs: Some use almond or coconut milk to make it lactose-free or they use no calorie-sweeteners for diabetic needs.

While they may taste good, nothing beats the taste of the traditional version! It’s creamy, flavorful and so refreshing. I hope you treat yourself to the real deal at least once in a while.

I once tasted an Horchata from La Santisima Mexican Restaurant that is made with chunks of fruits (cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes) and pecans. It’s so good! I think I’ll do that to mine next time.

horchata recipe

Traditional Mexican Horchata

horchata recipe

Learn how to make the authentic Horchata drink that everyone loves! With this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll be able to make the best homemade Horchata recipe made with a few simple ingredients. Skip the store-bought mixes and use this easy recipe right at home!

Prep: 20min

Total: 20min

Yield: 12

Serving Size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 cup, calories 170 kcal, Sugar 6 g, Sodium 132 mg, Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Carbohydrate 32 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 5 g, Cholesterol 10 mg

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked white rice
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1-12 oz. can evaporated milk
  • 1-12 oz can condensed milk
  • 8 cups of warm water (divided)
  • Sugar to taste
  • Ground cinnamon to garnish (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Instruction:

  1. Wash and drain the rice. Place the rice, cinnamon sticks (see note #1 below) and 4 cups of water into a bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight (preferably) or a minimum of 4 hours.
  2. Once you’re ready to blend the rice, remove most of the cinnamon sticks but it’s okay to leave small pieces with the rice.
  3. Blend the rice in two separate batches by adding 1/2 of the rice & water with some of the cinnamon stick left behind. Puree until it’s very smooth and it forms a paste like texture. About 4 minutes long.
  4. Using a very fine strainer (or some cheese cloth) pour the blended mixture over a pitcher. Strain out as much liquid as possible, pushing on the solids with a spatula or spoon.
  5. Repeat this process for the rest of the rice, water & cinnamon mixture.
  6. Stir in the milks, vanilla (0ptional), and 4 cups of water. Stir well.
  7. Taste and add more sugar or water if needed.
  8. Chill and stir before serving over ice.

Horchata (Authentic Mexican Recipe)

horchata recipe

Horchata is a delicious rice (or coconut) based drink that you can find at most Mexican restaurants in the United States and abroad.

Prep: 320min

Total: 300min

Yield: 7

Serving Size: 8 oz

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 8 oz, calories 322 kcal, Carbohydrate 56 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 7 g

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of white rice
  • 1 cup sugar (adjust depending on how sweet you want – 2/3 cup of sugar if you want it less sweet.)
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla
  • 1 Can (12 ounces Evaporated milk)
  • 1.5 cups of milk or almond milk
  • 1 Liter of water
  • Ice

Instruction:

  1. Start by soaking the rice, cinnamon, and almonds in a bowl of water all night, or at least for 5 hours so that the rice softens slightly.
  2. Strain the water from the cinnamon, rice, and almond mixture that were soaking, disposing of water.
  3. Blend the cinnamon, rice, and almond mixture with evaporated milk until a smoother mix is formed and the grains of rice are completely ground.
  4. Strain the resulting liquid into a pitcher, and add the sugar, vanilla, and milk. Mix well until everything is well combined.Add a liter of water, and serve with ice. Enjoy!

Traditional Mexican HORCHATA Recipe

FAQ

What is a horchata made of?

Horchata (pronounced or-CHAH-tah) is a popular Mexican drink that is often described as a sweet rice milk beverage. Horchata is made out of rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon and is served in many Mexican restaurants.

How is horchata originally made?

What Is Horchata Made Of? The original horchata from Valencia, Spain is made from chufa, or tiger nuts, water, sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Tiger nuts didn’t grow in the Americas when the Spanish arrived, so the Spanish used different nuts, seeds and grains to recreate horchata in their colonies.

Is horchata African or Mexican?

The drink originated in North Africa, and it is estimated that during the 11th century, it began to spread throughout Hispania (now Spain and Portugal). There are 13th-century records of a horchata-like beverage made near Valencia, where it remains a common drink.

Is horchata made of milk or water?

does horchata have milk? The answer isn’t a total simple one. There are recipes that include dairy (mainly evaporated milk and/or sweetened condensed milk. This recipe for horchata drink is totally dairy-free.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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