Creamy Mexican Horchata Recipe with Cinnamon and Vanilla Bean
A refreshing and creamy Mexican horchata made by soaking rice with cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean, blended and sweetened with condensed milk and milk for a silky, nostalgic drink.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus soaking time)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (including soaking)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice, rinsed well
- 4 cups (950ml) water, for soaking and blending
- 2 large cinnamon sticks
- 1 whole vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups (480ml) whole milk or almond milk
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
- Ground cinnamon, for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup (200g) of long-grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. Transfer to a large bowl or pitcher. Add 4 cups (950ml) of water, 2 cinnamon sticks, and the scraped seeds plus pod of 1 vanilla bean. Let soak at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor extraction.
- Remove vanilla pod and cinnamon sticks from the soaking liquid. Transfer rice and soaking water to a high-speed blender. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until rice breaks down thoroughly and mixture looks milky and smooth.
- Pour blended liquid through a fine mesh sieve or nut milk bag into a large bowl or pitcher. Press or squeeze gently to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the rice pulp or save for another recipe like rice pudding.
- Stir in 2 cups (480ml) whole milk (or almond milk) and 1/2 cup (120ml) sweetened condensed milk. Taste the mixture and add 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar if you want it sweeter. Whisk until everything is combined and smooth.
- Refrigerate the horchata for at least 1 hour before serving. Pour over ice, and garnish with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Enjoy chilled.
Notes
For best flavor, soak rice overnight. Use whole cinnamon sticks instead of powder for a natural warmth. Strain well for a silky texture. Chill before serving for optimal taste. For vegan version, substitute dairy milk and sweetened condensed milk with plant-based alternatives and sweeteners.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240ml)
- Calories: 150180
- Sugar: 1520
- Sodium: 50100
- Fat: 35
- Carbohydrates: 3035
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 34
Keywords: horchata, Mexican horchata, creamy horchata, cinnamon horchata, vanilla bean horchata, rice drink, refreshing drink, summer beverage