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horchata recipe Three small clear glasses filled with creamy Mexican horchata over ice, placed on a rustic carved wooden board, stainless steel reusable straws in the glasses, soft natural window light, white minimal background, elegant food photography, airy and bright mood, shallow depth of field, high detail, lifestyle drink photography, neutral tones, 50mm lens, f/2.8

Horchata Recipe

Creamy, lightly spiced Horchata Recipe that tastes like warm memories and summer afternoons in one refreshing glass.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Beverages, Drinks
Cuisine: Latin American, Mexican
Keyword: homemade beverage, horchata, Mexican drink, rice milk
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Soak Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 13 cups
Calories: 175kcal
Cost: $8

Ingredients

  • 1.1 cups uncooked white rice long-grain rice works best for clean flavor
  • 2 cinnamon sticks broken into large pieces for better infusion
  • 13 ounces evaporated milk adds creamy body without heaviness
  • 13 ounces sweetened condensed milk provides sweetness and richness
  • 9 cups warm water divided (warm but not hot for soaking rice)
  • 2–4 tablespoons granulated sugar adjust based on sweetness preference
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional, use sparingly for balance
  • Ground cinnamon to garnish (optional, for serving aroma)

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice thoroughly in a colander under cold water, then transfer it to a bowl with the cinnamon sticks and 4½ cups of the warm water. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
    “Top-down view of a white ceramic cup filled with light brown horchata, cinnamon sticks floating in the drink, subtle cloudy texture in the liquid, minimalist food photography, neutral gray stone countertop, soft natural lighting, realistic colors, high detail, shallow shadows, modern aesthetic, 4k resolution”
  • Remove most of the cinnamon sticks from the soaked rice, leaving a few small pieces behind for blending.
  • Blend half of the soaked rice mixture with some of the soaking liquid until completely smooth and milky, about 4 minutes.
    Bright, airy kitchen scene with a blender filled with freshly blended horchata, creamy off-white rice milk with visible rice particles, soft natural window light, minimal modern kitchen background, fresh and clean food photography style, high resolution, realistic, lifestyle food aesthetic.
  • Pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large pitcher, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
    Close-up food photography of homemade horchata being strained through white cheesecloth over a metal bowl, creamy rice milk flowing smoothly, natural soft daylight, minimal kitchen background, neutral tones, shallow depth of field, clean and rustic aesthetic, high detail, realistic texture, editorial food style.
  • Repeat the blending and straining process with the remaining rice mixture until all liquid is collected.
  • Stir the evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla, and remaining 4½ cups of water into the strained rice milk until fully combined.
    Pouring sweetened condensed milk from an opened can into a clear glass pitcher filled with horchata, visible cinnamon specks, marble countertop kitchen setting, measuring cups in the background, natural daylight, clean and modern food styling, step-by-step recipe photography, realistic textures, high resolution, soft shadows, editorial food photography
  • Taste the horchata and adjust sweetness or dilution with sugar or water as needed.
  • Chill thoroughly, then stir well and serve over ice, mixing again before pouring as natural settling may occur.

Notes

This horchata is all about patience and comfort—the slow soak and gentle blending create a drink that feels lovingly homemade. Serve it ice-cold, give it a good stir, and let the cinnamon-rice aroma do the rest.

Nutrition

Serving: 240g | Calories: 175kcal (9%) | Carbohydrates: 33g (11%) | Protein: 5g (10%) | Fat: 2g (3%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg (3%) | Sodium: 135mg (6%) | Potassium: 210mg (6%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 7g (8%) | Vitamin A: 6IU | Calcium: 15mg (2%) | Iron: 4mg (22%)
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