Homemade Mexican Horchata

This rich and creamy Homemade Mexican Horchata is decadent and delicious. You're going to love the combination of flavors in the authentic chilled beverage.

I originally shared this recipe in 2014. I've recently updated this post with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information, but the recipe itself has remained unchanged.

How this recipe came to be:

While paging through my copy of Taste of Home: Recipes Across America cookbook, I found this recipe for horchata. Normally, I'd pass right by this type of recipe without giving it too much thought, but this time I stopped dead in my tracks.

As it turns out, not that long ago I learned that my eldest son loves, loves, loves this Spanish sweetened rice milk beverage and that he buys it whenever he's at his favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant.

Go figure, and no surprise... the mom is always the last to know. LOL

This particular horchata is made from long-grain rice, blanched almonds, vanilla, sugar, lime, and cinnamon.

It is then blended together and strained to make a creamy beverage that looks just like cow's milk but in fact, it has no dairy whatsoever.

How and when to serve Mexican Horchata:

Served icy cold, horchata is quite delicious with a distinct sweetness which is the reason my son loves it so much. You see, he's the sweets lover of our family so horchata is right up his alley.

While I wouldn't recommend drinking this sweetened beverage every day of the week (just as I don't recommend drinking soda pop on a daily basis), it is a fun and unique treat that makes a really nice authentic Mexican addition to any family taco or enchilada night. 🙂

Special Equipment needed:

*Note - To make homemade horchata you'll need a high-speed blender or a food processor in order to make a fine powder out of the uncooked rice. Once you've processed the rice it will need to sit, covered in hot water (and then at room temperature), for approximately 6-7 hours. Then it needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, Please plan accordingly depending on when you plan to serve it.

The step-by-step photo instructions:

Printable Recipe Card

Homemade Mexican Horchata

Renee Goerger

This rich and creamy Homemade Mexican Horchata is decadent and delicious. You're going to love the combination of flavors in the authentic chilled beverage.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

refrigeration time 10 hours hrs

Total Time 10 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course beverages, non-alcoholic beverages

Servings 8 servings

Calories 346 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ ¾ cup uncooked long-grain rice
• ▢ 2 cups blanched almonds
• ▢ 1 large cinnamon stick more for garnish and serving
• ▢ 1½ teaspoons fresh lime zest
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ 4 cups boiling water
• ▢ 1 cup sugar
• ▢ 1-2 cups cold water
• ▢ lime wedges for garnish optional

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Instructions

 

• -Place the uncooked rice in a high-speed blender or food processor and process until very fine. *Note - the time this takes will depend on the appliance you're using. Be patient and keep blending.
• -Place the rice powder in a large bowl along with the almonds, cinnamon, lime zest, and vanilla.
• -Pour the boiling water into the bowl and stir well.
• -Allow the mixture to come to room temperature, cover, and let it sit for approximately 6-7 hours on the kitchen counter.
• -Discard the cinnamon stick and transfer the rice mixture into a blender. Cover and blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth.
• -Add the sugar and process until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• -Place a strainer over a pitcher and pour the horchata through the strainer and into the pitcher.
• -Stir in the water and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
• -Pour over ice to serve.
• -Garnish with a cinnamon stick, lime wedges (if desired) before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 346kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 8gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 229mgFiber: 4gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 1mg

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for homemade Horchata as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!