• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Keeping It Simple Blog

  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Recipes
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Γ—

    You are here Home Β» Recipes Β» food

    By: Melissa

    Horchata (A Mexican Rice Drink)

    We love to drink Horchata in the hot summers we have here in Texas. This Mexican horchata, also called aqua fresca horchata, is a drink made with a combination of rice, nuts, cinnamon, sugar and the starchy milk leftover from soaking the rice. This Mexican rice drink is perfect on a hot summers day. Sometimes we will double this recipe and make the most delicious horchata panna cotta with it too!

    Mexican horchata in glasses
    Jump to Recipe
    Total Time: 6 hours

    What is Mexican Horchata:

    Horchata has origins that are believed to date all the way back to the 8th century.  Some horchatas are made from the starches of rice and some from the starches of nuts. Mexican horchata gets its starchiness from rice.

    Many countries have their own version of this drink which utilize their countries native ingredients.  I have read that Spain invented this drink and then it evolved from there based on where the Spaniards traveled.

    About this Mexican Horchata Recipe:

    This recipe is for the Mexican horchata and it is made with rice and almonds.  The milky color actually comes from the starches in the rice. I like to add a little milk into the recipe just to make it even creamier.

    This step is optional and if you want a dairy free version of this then just omit this ingredient or substitute it with a dairy free milk. The best part about this Mexican horchata is you can make it with items that you probably already in your pantry.

    Ingredients that you will need for this Mexican Rice Drink:

    • rice
    • almonds
    • cinnamon
    • sugar
    • water
    • vanilla extract
    • milk (optional)

    How to Enjoy This Horchata Recipe:

    Horchata is great served as a refreshing beverage on a warm day or to accompany spicier food as it helps cool down your palate. It also is wonderful served with some rum or vodka as a cocktail.

    I love serving this horchata when I am making my Mexican barbacoa and Spanish rice for a complete Mexican meal. You can serve it on its own or with your own favorite Mexican food.

    There is no wrong way to enjoy this delicious drink! if you love horchata like we do, make sure to double the recipe so you can make this delicious horchata panna cotta; it is amazing!

    I hope you give this a try! If you double the recipe, you will have plenty for drinks and to make the horchata panna cotta!

    Mexican Horchata
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Mexican Horchata

    A refreshing drink made from the starches of rice with hints of cinnamon and vanilla
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time6 hrs
    Servings: 4 people

    Tried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!

    Author: Melissa

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup of uncooked long grain rice
    • 5 cups of water
    • Β½ cup of almonds
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
    • Β½ cup of sugar
    • Β½ cup of milk optional. You can leave out or sub with a milk substitute.
    Follow Keeping It Simple Blog On Pinterest

    Instructions

    • In a blender, add all of your ingredients except the milk and vanilla.
    • Blend on low speed until your rice, almonds and cinnamon are ground up into smaller pieces (about 1 minute).
    • Now pour the contents from your blender into a large bowl making sure to scrape out any pieces left behind.
    • Now add your vanilla and milk and mix well.
    • Cover the mixture for at least 6 hours but preferably over night to let the flavors come out of the rice, almonds and cinnamon and permeate the liquid.
    • After your horchata mixture has rested, place a sieve with cheese cloth over that over a large bowl.
    • Pour your horchata mixture through this to take out the rice, almonds and pieces of cinnamon. Discard these.;Now the horchata is ready to drink.
    • To serve:
    • I like to have a nice frothy top on my horchata so I pour it into a mason jar, place a lid on it and shake it vigorously until a foamy top forms.
    • Then you fill a glass with a lot of ice and pour your horchata over the ice.
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 4mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition Values are estimates only.

    See full nutrition disclaimer here
    Course :Drinks

    You May Also Like

    Horchata Panna Cotta

    A simple and delicious cinnamon flavored panna cotta made from horchata.
    Check out this recipe

    Mango Lassi

    A classic Indian yogurt drink with Mango
    Check out this recipe

    More food

    • The Best Queso Fundido
    • The Best Red Potato Salad
    • Green Beans and Tomatoes with Harissa
    • Mexican Barbacoa

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Aliana says

      November 15, 2019 at 4:33 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe. It was so easy and delicious. We will be making this again soon!

      Reply
    2. Albert Bevia says

      January 31, 2018 at 4:18 pm

      This is a great version of horchata, I have never had it made with rice before, I live in Valencia, Spain where horchata originated from, and itΒ΄s always made with chufas (tigernut), I will try your version out πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        January 31, 2018 at 6:56 pm

        Hi Albert. So glad you are going to try out the rice version! Yes, there are many versions of this all over the world I guess based on what ingredients each country has available πŸ™‚ I will have to try it the Valencia way soon!

        Reply
    3. cakespy says

      January 31, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      Horchata is the BEST!! I love this simple recipe. I don't know that I have ever made it before, so I love the idea of giving it a try at home.

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        January 31, 2018 at 6:57 pm

        Hi. I am so glad that you are going to give it a try! It is really simple to make and the only problem I have found is being able to make enough of it πŸ™‚

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Zucchini Pudding • Keeping It Simple Blog says:
      August 16, 2021 at 4:17 pm

      […] Mexican Horchata […]

      Reply
    2. Chicken Pozole • Keeping It Simple Blog says:
      November 11, 2020 at 8:14 pm

      […] chicken to speed things up but you could use cooked shredded chicken breast as well. Make a Mexican horchata to go along with this soup for a complete Mexican […]

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Keeping It Simple Blog!

    keeping it simple blog portrait

    I am so excited you are here. My name is Melissa and I started this recipe website a few years ago to share recipes that I have been cooking for family and friends for years.

    More about me β†’

    Easy Winter Recipes

    • Chopped Kale Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
      Cook Time25 Minutes
    • Pasta with Broccoli and Truffle Cream Sauce
      Cook Time30 Minutes
    • Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables
      Cook Time30 Minutes
    • Kale, Carrot and Parmesan Salad
      Cook Time25 Minutes
    • Brussels Sprouts Hash With Pancetta
      Cook Time25 Minutes
    • Italian Minestrone - Italian Vegetable Soup
      Cook Time35 Minutes
    • Spinach with Crispy Pancetta and Shallots
      Cook Time30 Minutes
    • Broken Noodles with Sausage, Kale and Mushrooms
      Cook Time35 Minutes

    More recipes β†’

    Featured In:

    logos of publications that Keeping It Simple Blog has been featured in

    Footer

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Featured In

    logos of publications that Keeping It Simple Blog has been featured in

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility

    Newsletter

    Contact

    Copyright Β© KeepingItSimpleBlog