Horchata is an interesting beverage – sort of similar in style to a vanilla milkshake or another dessert type drink. It’s a popular Spanish drink that’s also enjoyed in Central and South America. The ingredients range from country to country, as each locale likes to add their own unique flavor to the popular drink, but it’s usually got a strong vanilla flavor and is seasoned with cinnamon and sugar.

In Spain, they make horchata out of a mixture of tigernuts, sugar, and water. In Costa Rica, they mix sugar and water with milk and rice. In Mexico, it’s with rice, cinnamon, and vanilla. Milk is a key ingredient in some of the recipes, while other call for ground nuts and seeds that provide for the milky color and texture. However you make it, horchata is an incredibly delicious beverage that’s mostly served during the summer, but we think it can make a really great winter time treat as well.

How to Make Horchata

Given that there’s about as many variations of horchata as there are Spanish speaking countries, we’re going to just focus on one very simple recipe for how to make horchata. Start by rounding up the following few ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white rice
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 cup of water
• 4 cups of milk
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/3 cup of granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

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Combine the uncooked rice, almond milk, water, cinnamon, salt, and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan and heat over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Once the rice is done, take the mixture off the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Next, add the rice mixture (sans the cinnamon sticks) and add to a blender or food processor. Add in the milk, sugar, and vanilla extract and blend until smooth(ish). You can leave in a little bit of texture, depending on how you prefer to drink your horchata. Refrigerate the mixture until it’s chilled and serve with a sprinkling of cinnamon on top.

How do you like your horchata? Share your comments with us below!