How to Make the Perfect Agua de Horchata
Mexican · Easy · 495 min · 8 servings
Agua de horchata is a beloved Mexican rice drink made with soaked white rice, cinnamon, vanilla, and milk that creates a creamy and lightly spiced sweet beverage. This traditional horchata recipe is a staple of Mexican cuisine served at taquerias, fiestas, and family gatherings across Mexico and the United States.
Why this recipe works
This Agua de Horchata recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 495 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 145 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup long grain white rice uncooked
- 4 cups cold water for soaking
- 3 cups cold water for blending
- 1 cup whole milk or plant-based milk
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Soak the Rice
Rinse the white rice and place it in a large bowl with 4 cups of cold water and the ground cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to soften the rice and infuse the cinnamon flavor.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
Transfer the soaked rice along with its soaking water to a blender. Add the milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Blend on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is as smooth as possible.
Step 3: Strain and Serve
Strain the blended horchata through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a large pitcher, pressing to extract all liquid. Add the remaining 3 cups of cold water, stir well, and serve over ice.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- whole milk → almond milk or oat milk for a fully vegan horchata with a nutty flavor
- white rice → tiger nuts for a traditional Spanish horchata de chufa variation
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not soaking the rice long enough results in a gritty texture so always soak for a minimum of 8 hours
- Skipping the cheesecloth straining step leaves too much fine rice sediment making the drink chalky
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 145 calories, 2g protein, 28g carbs, 3g fat, 0g fiber.
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