Homemade horchata is a cool, creamy drink made from rice, almonds, and cinnamon. This recipe is dairy-free so everyone can enjoy it. Cheers!
I love Mexican food. I’m pretty sure I could eat it every day and not get tired of it. There are a few different Mexican restaurants here in town that I frequent depending on my mood. One has great grilled meats and I adore their tortilla soup. Another one is awesome for traditional recipes like cochinita pibil and has a terrific patio for when the weather is nice. The third is a little hole-in-the-wall place with killer tacos. I order their tacos al pastor pretty much every time I go there.
The taco place doesn’t have a liquor license, which means no margaritas. It’s ok though because they have amazing horchata. If you look around, you’ll see that almost everyone there has a pitcher of it. Not a pitcher for the table, but a pitcher for each person. They serve it to you with the straw right in it – no need to dirty a glass.
The theme for this months Progressive Eats menu is Cinco de Mayo and it took me about two seconds to decide that I wanted my contribution to be a homemade horchata recipe. Make sure you scroll to the very bottom of this post for the complete menu of what everyone else made!
What is horchata?
Broken down to its basic elements, authentic horchata is essentially sweetened rice and almond milk that’s flavored with a little cinnamon. It’s cold, creamy, and shockingly refreshing for something that looks so much like a glass of milk.
Horchata is traditionally dairy-free, but it’s also not uncommon for restaurants to make it with sweetened condensed milk. If you have a dairy allergy, be sure to ask before you order it out – never just assume it will be dairy free!
My horchata recipe gives a nod to both types. I start by soaking rice and almonds overnight to make homemade nut milk, but I stir in canned coconut milk at the end to give it some of the creaminess that sweetened condensed milk adds. I also sweeten my horchata with honey. You could use white sugar, which is more traditional, but I love the subtle floral flavor that honey adds to the drink.
This horchata will keep in the refrigerator for a few days, but it might separate over time as the solids settle to the bottom of the pitcher. Just give it a good stir and it will be as good as new.
Dairy-Free Horchata
Ingredients
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
- ½ cup whole blanched almonds
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 cup light coconut milk
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- Ground cinnamon for topping
Instructions
- Combine the boiling water, rice, almonds, and cinnamon sticks in a heat-proof container. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Discard the cinnamon sticks and transfer the rice and almond mixture to a blender. Add 2 cups cold water. Cover and blend on high got 3-4 minutes, or until very smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher.
- Heat the coconut milk and honey in a saucepan set over medium heat until the honey dissolves. Let cool, then pour into the pitcher with the rice mixture. Stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve over ice and top with ground cinnamon.
Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. This month’s theme is a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, and our host is Jane who blogs at The Heritage Cook
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats it’s a virtual party. A theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. Come along and see all of the delicious fiesta inspired dishes!
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Beverages
- Tamarind Margarita – Spice Roots
Appetizers
- Spicy Crab Guacamole – The Red Head Baker
- Stovetop Spicy Sweet Pepitas – Mother Would Know
Bread
- Orejas Mexican Pan Dulce – Creative Culinary
Main Courses
- Instant Pot Barbacoa Tacos – The Heritage Cook
- Pork Pozole Verde – Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Chicken Tostadas with Black Bean Guacamole and Salsa Fresca – From a Chef’s Kitchen
Side Dish
- Mexican Red Rice (Arroz Rojo) – Beyond Mere Sustenance
Desserts
- Mexican Chocolate Pots de Creme – Sarah’s Cucina Bella
- Mini Margarita Cheesecakes – That Skinny Chick Can Bake
I haven’t had horchata in such a long time but I’ll have to change that now. Will be making with agave to keep it vegan ..can’t wait.
Horchata holds a bittersweet memory for me – I first tasted it with another blogger at a conference in Baltimore. It was a revelation! So creamy and delicious. A while after that conference I heard that my blogger friend died suddenly. I haven’t had horchata since, but with this lovely post as a reminder, I realize it’s time to honor my friend with a drink to her memory. Thanks.
The taco truck that sets up near my office opens next week and I cannot wait. They make the best shrimp tacos ever. With regards to the horchata, I’ve never had it, but it sounds like something I would really enjoy (and so would my kids — especially my almond milk-loving daughter). Thank you for introducing me to something new! Also, I am so glad you joined Progressive Eats this month! Welcome!
I’ve heard of horchata but I’ve never tried it before. It love that this is dairy free, I’ll have to make some this weekend!
Wow! It never crossed my mind that one could make horchata at home, though I’ve lived on the border and enjoyed it all my life! I’m looking forward to trying this. It looks and sounds delicious!
I agree with you on Mexican food. This horchata sounds amazing and looks beautiful.
I’ve never heard of this drink but have to say I’m very intrigued and think the family would love this too! It looks like something I could totally handle – thanks for the recipe!
I love this so much – the perfect way to cool the heat of spicy food! And the fact that it is great for people with dietary restrictions makes it an even better choice!
Yes! I’ll take a pitcher please! What a terrific drink for Cinco de Mayo!!!
I have only had it made by someone else. Thank you for a wonderful recipe .