Description
This Creamy Horchata recipe is a refreshing and traditional homemade Mexican beverage featuring a smooth blend of rice, cinnamon, and creamy milk. Perfectly balanced with sweetened condensed milk and a hint of vanilla, this drink is chilled over ice to provide a deliciously cool and comforting refreshment, ideal for warm days or any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice (essential for that creamy texture)
- 4 cups water (helps to blend the rice smoothly)
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks (infuse a warm spice flavor)
- 2 cups whole milk (adds richness, can substitute with almond or oat milk)
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (provides sweetness, adjust to preference)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (enhances flavor)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for a comforting spice note)
- 2 cups ice (to keep the drink chilled)
Instructions
- Pulse Rice and Water: Combine the uncooked long grain white rice and 4 cups of water in a food processor or blender. Pulse until the mixture is slightly textured but not completely smooth, ensuring the rice retains some graininess for texture.
- Chill Mixture with Cinnamon: Pour the rice and water blend into a large pitcher or bowl. Add the cinnamon sticks, cover, and refrigerate the mixture overnight (about 8 hours) to allow the flavors to infuse and the rice to soften further.
- Strain the Rice Mixture: After chilling, pour the rice and cinnamon mixture through a fine mesh strainer or sieve. Discard the solids to leave a smooth, flavored liquid base for your horchata.
- Add Dairy and Flavorings: Stir in the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon into the strained rice water. Mix thoroughly until the horchata is rich, creamy, and all ingredients are well combined.
- Serve Over Ice: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the creamy horchata over the top. Optionally garnish with a dusting of extra ground cinnamon for a decorative and flavorful finish. Serve immediately for the best refreshing experience.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sweetened condensed milk to your taste preference.
- Make sure to soak the rice mixture overnight for maximum flavor and creaminess.
- You can pulse the rice in smaller batches if your blender is not large enough.
- Serve chilled and consume within 2 days for the best freshness.
