Make your own horchata right at home with a few simple ingredients: rice, water, almonds, cinnamon and sugar!
I was first introduced to horchata back in 2009. We had recently moved to Phoenix and were shopping at one of the local Mexican grocery stores.
We had also never been to one of those either.
Moving to Phoenix was definitely a culture change for us being from Florida and used to seafood markets on every street corner. Instead there were meat markets and different Asian and Mexican grocery stores.
Those “other” grocery stores quickly became our favorite and we would shop there more than at the regular grocery store. They had such a huge selection and diversity of food choices that we were able to find everything we needed and also a ton of things that we didn’t necessarily need but wanted to try or hadn’t been able to get before.
One of those was this Mexican rice milk drink that my husband had had before while growing up in Texas, but I had never tried. Mark another one for my husband introducing me to a new food. What are we up to now here… 3 so far?
Anyway, at the grocery store they also had a little place to sit down and order food, like a restaurant… but not, so he ordered a huge glass of horchata for us to drink while walking around the store.
Uh, cinnamon. Rice milk. This couldn’t possibly taste good.
What does rice taste like anyway? What’s all that stuff floating around in there?
Ok… I guess I’ll try it.
Uh yeah… I was hooked instantly. This stuff was awesome! And every time we went to the grocery store after that we always picked up a gallon to take home and ordered a huge glass when first walking to the store.
Unfortunately, we only spent a year in Arizona and ended up moving to Hilton Head Island after. Gone were are amazing little Asian and Mexican markets and we were back to the seafood on every street corner.
Not a bad thing. But I did miss them and whenever we went out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner I would see if they had horchata on the menu.
Some did some didn’t.
After a while I kind of just gave up and almost forgot all about it. Then just a few weeks ago my husband (again) came home with some horchata from a little taco place down the street. YAY!
Then I got a bright idea to try and make my own so that I could have it all the time and not have to go out to get it. This recipe turned out tasting just the way I remember it being back in Arizona. Creamy, sweet but not too sweet, slight cinnamon flavor and overall refreshing.
Homemade Horchata
Make your own horchata right at home with a few simple ingredients: rice, water, almonds, cinnamon and sugar!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white rice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup whole almonds blanched *
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar or to taste
- 5 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Using a spice or coffee grinder, pulverize the rice and cinnamon until it reaches a fine powder.
- Add the rice and cinnamon mixture to a large jar or jug with the almonds. Stir in 3 cups of hot water and allow to cool to room temperature. Cover and let stand overnight (10-12 hours) on the counter, not in the fridge.
The Next Day:
- Transfer the mixture to your blender, add remaining 2 1/2 cups of water and sugar and blend until it is is smooth. This may take about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve layered with cheesecloth or use a nut milk bag. Gather edges of cheesecloth or milk bag and squeeze remaining pulp to force out as much liquid as you can. Discard leftover pulp.
- Transfer to airtight container or jug to store in the refrigerator. Slight separation is normal, just stir or shake before serving. Serve over ice garnished with extra cinnamon, if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
If you cannot find blanched almonds in your grocery store you can blanch your own by adding regular almonds into boiling water for a minute or two. Drain under cool water and give them a little squeeze so the skins slip right off.
If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag #JENNMEYERING for an IG feature and FB Feature! Plus, I'd love to see your creations!
I have never heard of horchata before, but this sounds absolutely delicious!
I had this once with my Aunt in Lexington, Kentucky. Unfortunately it is about an 1.5 hours from me. I can not wait to try this recipe!
Have a great week,
Haley
I love horchata! I had it for the first time at this little hole-in-the-wall taco shop and it was love at first sip. I’ve never made it myself but I’d love to try someday. Thanks for the recipe!
Looks good and delicious. Thanks for sharing.
I was addicted to Horchata when I lived in Arizona, haven’t had it in about 7 years and it sounds delicious right about now. Thanks for sharing!
I love Horchata and normally buy it from one of the Hispanic grocery stores here in Texas. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Horchata has been on my to-do list – looks like you’ve given me just the push I needed!
This sounds AWESOME!! I’ve never even heard of it before but I love milky drinks. I’m going to try it out myself over the weekend. Thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party xx
I have never heard of horchata before. Have I been missing out or what. It sounds absolutely delicious and I am going to have to give it a go. Hope you have a great weekend and stopping by from Fab Foodie Friday.
Ok you’ve convinced me!
Well consider yourself having blown my mind, I have never heard of this before and it sounds amazing, gotta give this a try!
OMG Yes! I have a feeling you would love it!
Awesome! I’ve never had horchata, but you’re making me want to try it!! It does sound very interesting.. haha! But I am sure it’s delicious, and I love that you figured out how to make your own!
I LOVE horchata!! It’s one of my favorite drinks at our local Mexican restaurant 🙂 would love to try making my own!!
ooh i loooove horchata! I wish it was hot and sweaty out… instead of freezing cold and maybe snowing tomorrow haha. tastes so great on a summer day!!
Agreed! It’s finally starting to warm here… well 50s at least but I’ll take it.
Gah! I need this! I had the same reaction you did when first trying horchata and it was definitely love at first sight. The markets around here don’t make it, so I know this would be a wonderful surprise for my husband!
Yes! Love me some horchata.
Hi there! I’m really glad to hear you and your family have delved into the culture of my people (Mexicans). It’s so great to see others dipping their toes into delicious drinks and foods like horchata.
One note, though: calling stores that are American-owned and run “regular” makes a lot of minorities, including Hispanics, a little left out. And the use and emphasis of the word “other” makes a lot of Hispanics and Mexican-Americans feel left out too. Obviously there was no harm meant in this, but sometimes language can be tricky like that, especially with such a diverse population in southwestern states.
In any case, I plan on trying your horchata recipe because it looks great! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Carlos,
Thanks so much for your comment! I really hope that you do try and make this horchata because it really is delicious. Also, I’m sorry if you felt “offended” or “left out” by the way that I used the word “other” when referring to the Mexican and Asian grocery stores. This was never my intention and I do believe that you read this out of context. I am in fact half Mexican myself and regularly shop at those “other” grocery stores because they are, sometimes, better than the “regular” grocery stores. Once again, I’m sorry that you misunderstood the meaning of what I was saying.
Best,
Jennifer