Horchata
Rice and cinnamon soaked overnight, blended and strained into a sweet, milky drink served over ice. The standard partner to anything fried or chilli-hot.
Photograph credit: Horchata, my drink of choice in Mexico - Merida Yucatan 21 March 2021 by Sharon Hahn Darlin · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Method
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Rinse the rice once, then put it in a bowl with the broken cinnamon sticks and the warm water. Cover and leave at room temperature overnight, or at least 8 hours.
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Tip the rice, cinnamon and soaking water into a blender with the extra 500 ml water. Blend on high for a full 2 minutes — longer than feels necessary.
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Strain through a fine sieve lined with muslin, pressing the solids to get everything through. Discard the pulp.
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Stir in the milk, sugar and vanilla. Taste and adjust the sugar — it should be sweet but not cloying.
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Chill thoroughly. Serve over plenty of ice with a dusting of ground cinnamon.
Chef’s Tips
- Blend for two full minutes. This is the whole difference between silky and gritty.
- Strain twice through muslin if you want it restaurant smooth.
- It separates in the fridge, which is normal. Stir before pouring.
Pairing Suggestions
- Tacos al pastor
- Anything fried
- Churros
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate up to 4 days in a sealed jug. Do not freeze.
Common questions
How long does Horchata take to make?
About 15 minutes of hands-on work — 15 minutes of preparation and of cooking — plus 8 hours of soaking, so allow 8 hours 15 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Horchata?
Blend for two full minutes. This is the whole difference between silky and gritty. Strain twice through muslin if you want it restaurant smooth. It separates in the fridge, which is normal. Stir before pouring.
What should I serve with Horchata?
Tacos al pastor; Anything fried; Churros.
Can Horchata be made ahead or frozen?
Refrigerate up to 4 days in a sealed jug. Do not freeze.
Is Horchata suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Horchata?
About 186 kcal per serving, with 3 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate and 3 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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