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5 from 21 votes

Horchata Recipe

Horchata is a rice-based drink from Mexico. While horchata is not traditionally dairy-free this recipe is dairy-free! This recipe has has rice, toasted almonds, brown sugar and vanilla!  
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time3 minutes
Soaking Time5 hours
Total Time5 hours 13 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Central America, Mexican
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 8
Author: Adrianna Adarme
Cost: $7

Equipment

  • 1 fine mesh strainer
  • 1 large pitcher or measuring cup
  • 1 1 skillet
  • 1 blender

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Continue this process until you work with the rest of horchata mixture. Serve over ice and top with a dusting of ground cinnamon

Notes

Alternative Straining Methods: 
I passed the horchata through a medium mesh strainer. And then poured it through a nut bag. If you don't have a nut bag, you can simply use a fine-mesh strainer. OR you could use place a few layers of cheese cloth nestled in a medium-mesh strainer. 
To Store: 
This horchata will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Just be sure to stir it vigorously before serving. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg