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

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
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
- Rinse the rice and blend roughly for 30 seconds to crack it.
- Combine the rice and cinnamon stick with hot water and soak 4 hours or overnight.
- Blend until very smooth.
- Strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
- Stir in the milk, sugar and vanilla.
- 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)
