How to Make the Perfect Homemade Cinnamon Horchata
Mexican · Easy · 250 min · 6 servings
This creamy refreshing horchata is made from scratch by soaking long grain rice with cinnamon sticks and blending it into a smooth sweet drink that is perfect over ice. It is a beloved Mexican agua fresca that cannot be compared to any store-bought powder version.
Why this recipe works
This Homemade Cinnamon Horchata recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 250 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 180 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup long grain white rice uncooked
- 2 count cinnamon sticks
- 4 cups water divided
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk or plant milk
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Soak the Rice and Cinnamon
Combine the uncooked rice and cinnamon sticks in a large bowl with 2 cups of warm water. Stir briefly and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Allow the rice and cinnamon to soak at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator for the deepest flavor.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
Transfer the soaked rice, cinnamon sticks, and all the soaking water to a high-powered blender. Blend on high speed for 2 full minutes until the mixture is as smooth as possible. Do not rush this step as thorough blending is what creates the creamy texture.
Step 3: Strain the Mixture
Pour the blended rice mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a thin kitchen towel into a large pitcher. Press and squeeze to extract every drop of liquid. Discard the rice solids and cinnamon sticks left behind in the cloth.
Step 4: Sweeten and Finish
Stir the remaining 2 cups of water, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk into the strained horchata until the sugar is fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed. Refrigerate until very cold and serve over plenty of ice with a dusting of ground cinnamon on top.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- whole milk → unsweetened almond milk or oat milk for a dairy-free version
- granulated sugar → condensed milk stirred in at the end for a richer and creamier sweetness
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not soaking the rice long enough which results in a thin watery drink lacking creaminess
- Skipping the cheesecloth straining step which leaves gritty rice particles in the final drink
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 180 calories, 2g protein, 38g carbs, 2g fat, 0g fiber.
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