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Horchata Recipe
5 from 69 votes

Horchata Recipe

Horchata is a traditional drink made by soaking almonds, rice, and cinnamon in water, then blending and straining to produce a smooth, creamy beverage with a sweet, spiced flavor. This version involves toasting part of the almonds before soaking to deepen their nutty aroma. The process includes a long steeping time to extract flavors fully, resulting in a refreshing and lightly sweet drink with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Soaking Time
5 hrs
Total Time
5 hrs 13 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 108 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups almonds divided, blanched, 6.5 ounces
  • 2 1/2 cups white rice uncooked, 17.5 ounces
  • 3 whole cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 10 cups water filtered

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium skillet, set over medium-low heat, add 1/4 cup blanched almonds. Toast the almonds until medium golden brown, about 3-5 minutes, tossing them every so often.
  2. Transfer the toasted almonds and untoasted almonds to a large bowl. Pour in the white rice, cinnamon sticks, browns sugar, vanilla extract, salt and filtered water. Mix everything up until combined and cover the bowl. Let sit at room temperature for 5 hours. Or overnight in the fridge.
  3. Depending on the size of your blender, you may need to do this in batches. Transfer the horchata mix (including the cinnamon sticks) to your blender (adding what will fit, giving room at the top for blending). Blend for about 1 minute, until the horchata turns cloudy and white. Pour through a mesh strainer into a bowl to catch the majority of the nut pulp.
  4. Place a nut bag in the center of a bowl and pour the once-strained mixture into the nut bag. This will eliminate the majority of the grit from the horchata and make it silky smooth. Gently squeeze the nut bag so the horchata runs out.
  5. Continue this process until you work with the rest of horchata mixture. Serve over ice and top with a dusting of ground cinnamon

Notes

  • To strain thoroughly, use a nut bag or fine-mesh strainer to remove grit for a smooth drink.
  • If unavailable, layers of cheesecloth in a strainer can substitute for a nut bag.
  • Store horchata in the refrigerator and stir well before each serving to recombine settled solids.
  • The drink keeps well for up to one week refrigerated.

Nutrition Information

Calories 108kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 27g (9%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 96mg (4%) Potassium 37mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 27g (54%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 108

% Daily Value*

Calories 108kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 27g 9%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 96mg 4%
Potassium 37mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 27g 54%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.