How Do I Make Mexican Homemade Horchata?

Basmati rice is a crucial ingredient in Mexican horchata.

Horchata refers to a large group of beverages made with grains or nuts, such as almonds, sesame seeds or tigernuts. Mexican horchata is a drink whose popularity reaches well beyond Mexico's borders; it is most frequently made with rice. Mexican horchata is similar to rice milk but is creamier, and it is sweetened with sugar and spiced with cinnamon. The vegan-friendly drink is best served chilled and packs a refreshingly sweet and luscious flavor.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 6 cups water (divided)
• Large bowl
• Blender
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• Large pitcher
• Fine-meshed sieve
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Large spoon

Instructions

1. Pour the basmati rice and 3 cups of water into a large bowl. Let the rice soak in the water overnight.

2. Put the rice and water mixture into a blender, and add cinnamon. Blend the mixture for about 3 minutes, or until it is smooth.

3. Pour the mixture through a fine-meshed sieve and into a large pitcher. Make sure no chunks of rice get into the pitcher.

4. Add the sugar, vanilla extract and 3 cups of water to the pitcher, and stir the mixture with a large spoon.

5. Refrigerate until cold, serve and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a fine-meshed sieve, you can use cheesecloth to strain out the rice.

• If the ingredients separate after storing, stir the horchata with a large spoon to recombine them.

• Garnish with chopped toasted pecans or diced cantaloupe, if desired.

References

• Whats4Eats: Horchata de Arroz
• Baking Bites: Easy Homemade Horchata
• "Los Angeles Times"; Recipe: Horchata; July 2008

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish