A Sweet Taste Of Mexico

Today just happens to be National Horchata Day! What is horchata you ask? If you happen to be Mexican or live in a city where Mexican culture is prominent you likely already know the answer. If not, we are happy to tell you.

Simply put horchata is a drink made of rice water infused with cinnamon and sweetened. It is smooth, rich, sweet and very refreshing. Its origins are likely from Spain but it is extremely popular throughout Mexico and Latin America. You can often find horchata on the menu at Mexican restaurants, in mercados, and at local taquerias in the United States. But it turns out it is simple to make at home. Many Mexican families have a recipe handed down from la abuela (grandmother) to mama, to la hija (daughter). There are probably as many recipes as there are families but the basic ingredients are the same.

Horchata
1 cup raw long grain white rice
8 cups very hot water
2 cinnamon sticks (about 3 inches long)*
1 1/2 cups almond milk (or whole cows milk)
1 can sweetened condensed milk**
1/2-1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 – 1/3 cup sugar (optional if you like your drink really sweet)
Ice for serving

Put rice in a blender and grind until it is a powder. Add the hot water and the cinnamon sticks. Put the lid on the blender and let the mixture sit overnight or at least 8 hours until the cinnamon sticks have absorbed some of the water and softened.

After the rice and cinnamon have soaked, blend for about 2 minutes or until the cinnamon sticks are completely ground and incorporated into the mixture. Pour and strain the mixture into a pitcher using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Throw away the grit from the rice and cinnamon that collect in the sieve.

Stir in the almond milk and sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Taste and if it isn’t sweet enough for you, add the sugar and stir until it dissolves (it is meant to be a sweet drink). Chill in the refrigerator. Serve over ice and sprinkle a touch of ground cinnamon on top of each glass. Enjoy!

* Only use cinnamon sticks, not ground cinnamon as ground cinnamon here will not infuse the same flavor as the sticks will
** If you want this to be dairy free substitute sweetened condensed coconut milk for the regular sweetened condensed milk. You can find that at most grocery stores on the aisle with the regular sweetened condensed milk

Whether you decide to make your own version or just order it on your next trip to your local Mexican restaurant, be adventurous and give it a try. It’s a truly sweet taste of Mexico. Enjoy!