Last Updated on October 1, 2023 by Chef Mireille
Horchata – Spice Infused Mexican Rice Drink
Mexican cinnamon and vanilla scented rice milk that goes perfect with cookies!
…and don’t forget to check out my other Mexican Recipes!
Now about horchata…
Horchata is a beverage consumed in Spain and throughout Latin America, although it is most popular in Mexico. I’ve even seen ancient references to it in Goa, India – probably brought there by the Portuguese, but no longer commonly produced there. It was developed in Valencia, Spain by the Moors. The Moors were Arabs of Egyptian decent who controlled North Africa, Gibraltar and Mediterranean Europe at various times from 711 – 1492. Their largest European influence was in Spain and Portugal.
The chufa or tiger nut plant was brought from North Africa to Spain. In Spain, horchata de chufa is the most common type. Horchata is basically a beverage flavored with cinnamon that can be made with any grain, nut or seed, indigenous to each country. Many different varieties exist across Latin America. In Nicaragua and Honduras, it is made with jicaro seeds, while made with morro seeds in El Salvador and sesame seeds in Puerto Rico.
This rice based version is popular in Mexico and Honduras. This is the most popular version here in the US, available in Mexican restaurants and street side Mexican vendors
Let’s check out some other great drinks while we’re at it!
Drink Recipes
- Chicha Morada – Peruvian Blue Corn Drink
- Pineapple Strawberry Agua Fresca
- Lassi Patiala
- Mango Lassi
This is such a light and refreshing drink – especially on hot summer days!
This is a perfect accompaniment to a cookie snack like these Moroccan Almond Cookies!
Horchata
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cinnamon stick broken into small pieces
- 12 oz. can evaporated milk
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 cups boiling water
- ground cinnamon garnish
Instructions
- Wash the rice in several exchanges of water until the water runs clear.
- In a large pitcher, combine rice with cinnamon sticks and vanilla extract.
- Add boiling water and stir to combine.
- Transfer to to refrigerator and leave to soak overnight (or for at at least 4 hours).
- Transfer everything from the pitcher to a blender.
- Blend really well until the everything is well pureed and smooth.
- Pass this mixture through a strainer and return the mixture to the blender.
- Add milk, 1 cup water and sweetened condensed milk.
- Blend well until thoroughly combined.
- Chill or serve over ice, garnished with ground cinnamon.
- Always stir before serving, as rice sediment may sink to the bottom as it chills.
Nutrition
Don’t forget to visit the RECIPE INDEX with over 1000 recipes from around the world including lots of Vegetarian Recipes and Gluten Free Recipes!
Horchata sounds interesting ! Never tasted rice in drinks before..
new recipe for me, i thought when you gave goa reference it could be something i heard of with a diff name, but i dont recollect any beverage, is good to learn 🙂
looks very refreshing and soothing,.. the post is well written… would love to have this drink…
Sowmya
Very unique and delicious.
wow love the name very new to me spain drink sounds good. I got to bookmark it.
Had it long back at a friend's place, trust me this horchata are my favourite.
wow new to me would love to try this beverage some time 🙂 lovely choice for H dear and lovely post too 🙂
It sounds very interesting..totally new for me!
very tempting n yum…
Interesting..I was wondering if the rice is not cooked?
no it is not cooked
I wanted to make this for a while now.. Your's looks delicious. Will have to try this soon.
That's a new for me as well…thanks for the intro Mir, I always seem to be learning a new dish from you..
Very new to me. I thought you will be cooking the rice mixture. This is quite interesting…
Wow I have never heard abt this drink heer in Goa must ask around my Catholic friends. Is the rice uses raw and served raw?
I had read about this drink and it had reminded me about the story of Krishna and Sudama. Now I have the recipe from you Mireille. Very interesting.
Very new to me Mir. Bookmarked to try 🙂
Yummy drink.. I once seen this drink on food network channel & it had mongo added to it.. Never tried though..
Heard about it but had never tasted it. Interesting one to me since we never eat / drink uncooked rice.
never had a drink with rice and that too uncooked! very new recipe 🙂
Another new one…very interesting!!