Horchata

A creamy, chilled drink of rice steeped with cinnamon and sweetened lightly. It is cooling and refreshing.

Horchata

Horchata de chufa 2: Photocapy, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Where it comes from

In Mexico, horchata is made from rice and cinnamon and sold at street stands and taquerias as a popular agua fresca. Similar drinks made with almonds or tiger nuts exist in Spain and West Africa.

Explore the cuisine of Mexico.

Recipe

Make Horchata at home

Serves 6Time 10 minutes plus soaking

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 cups hot water
  • 1 cup milk or almond milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Ice
  • Ground cinnamon

How it's made

  1. Rinse the rice and blend roughly for 30 seconds to crack it.
  2. Combine the rice and cinnamon stick with hot water and soak 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Blend until very smooth.
  4. Strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
  5. Stir in the milk, sugar and vanilla.
  6. Chill and serve over ice with ground cinnamon.

Variations

  • Almond horchata: includes blanched almonds.
  • Coconut horchata: with coconut milk.
  • Dairy-free: made with water only.

Cook’s tip: Strain twice for the smoothest texture.

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About this page

Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.

Photo credit
  • Horchata de chufa 2: Photocapy, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)