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Creamy Homemade Horchata

Creamy Homemade Horchata

Creamy Homemade Horchata is a traditional Mexican beverage made by blending long-grain white rice, cinnamon sticks, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract to create a smooth, sweet, and refreshing drink with a silky texture. Perfectly balanced with customizable sweetness and served chilled, this easy-to-make recipe delivers authentic flavors quickly using simple ingredients found in most kitchens.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 cups water (or almond milk for variation)

Sweeteners and Flavorings

  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)

To Serve

  • Ice cubes
  • Ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and Soak the Rice: Rinse 1 cup of long-grain white rice under cold water to remove excess starch. Then soak the rice with 2 cinnamon sticks in 4 cups of water for at least 1 hour, or 30 minutes for a faster version, to soften the rice and infuse the cinnamon flavor.
  2. Blend the Rice and Cinnamon Mixture: Remove the cinnamon sticks after soaking. Transfer the rice and soaking water into a high-speed blender. Blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes until the rice is finely ground and the liquid looks milky and smooth.
  3. Strain the Mixture: Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a pitcher, removing any solid bits of rice to achieve a silky, creamy texture.
  4. Sweeten and Add Creaminess: Stir in 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and granulated sugar to taste (usually between 1/4 and 1/2 cup). Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are dissolved and combined.
  5. Chill and Serve: Add plenty of ice cubes to the horchata and give it a final stir. Pour into glasses and optionally garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

  • Use warm water for soaking to extract more flavor and soften the rice faster.
  • Blend longer if you desire extra creaminess and a smoother texture.
  • For the smoothest horchata, strain the mixture twice to catch finer rice particles.
  • Adjust sweetness gradually by adding sugar little by little and tasting as you go.
  • Serve horchata chilled for best flavor; it can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, stirring well before serving.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Beverages
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (240ml)
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 55mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: horchata, creamy horchata, homemade horchata, Mexican drink, cinnamon drink, rice beverage, sweet beverage, traditional horchata