5.0 from 9 votes
Horchata Agua Fresca
Making authentic Horchata Agua Fresca at home is easier than you might think. This cooling rice drink is a traditional Mexican beverage made with only 5 ingredients that comes out sweet, velvety smooth, and with the perfect touch of cinnamon.
Prep Time
15 mins
Additional Time
8 hrs
Servings: 8
Calories: 329 kcal
Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- 2 ½ cups hot water
- 1 medium Ceylon cinnamon stick or half of a large one
- ½ cup cane sugar (plus more to taste)
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 cup ice (plus more for serving)
- 12 oz evaporated milk (optional, see recipe) or 1 ½ cups of whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- Place the uncooked rice in a medium bowl.
- Completely cover the rice with hot water, about 2 ½ cups.
- Cover the bowl and leave the rice to soak in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours but preferably overnight. Soaking will soften the rice, making it easier to blend.
- Pour the soaked rice, cinnamon stick, and water into a blender.
- Add 4 cups of cold water and 1 cup of ice and blend for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag into a pitcher.
- Squeeze or press the cheesecloth or nut milk bag to get as much liquid from the solids as possible.
- Dispose of the rice solids.
- Stir in ½ a cup of sugar until fully dissolved.
- Taste and add more sugar to your desired level of sweetness.
- If using milk, stir it in at this time. You may also have to add more sugar, but taste the drink again before adding.
- Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour until cold.
- Stir and serve cold over ice. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If you want to use milk but prefer a dairy-free or vegan option, use almond milk or evaporated coconut milk.
- Cane sugar can also be replaced with monk fruit sweetener, agave syrup or even honey for a slight variation in flavor.
- You can omit the cinnamon stick altogether and substitute with a ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon when blending.
- If using the cinnamon stick but a stronger cinnamon flavor is desired, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon when blending.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 serving
Calories
329kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
71.7g
(24%)
Protein
3.7g
(7%)
Fat
3.2g
(5%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
12mg
(4%)
Sodium
52mg
(2%)
Potassium
135mg
(4%)
Fiber
0.7g
(3%)
Sugar
4.3g
(9%)
Calcium
126mg
(13%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 329
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving | |
| Calories | 329kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 71.7g | 24% |
| Protein | 3.7g | 7% |
| Fat | 3.2g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 12mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 52mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 135mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 0.7g | 3% |
| Sugar | 4.3g | 9% |
| Calcium | 126mg | 13% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.