If you’re dreaming of a creamy, cinnamon-kissed drink that cools you down while giving cozy vibes, this homemade horchata is your new go-to. It’s sweet, smooth, and just the right amount of indulgent—perfect for sipping on a hot Texas afternoon or pairing with your favorite spicy dishes. Plus, it’s made with pantry staples and a little patience (hello, overnight soak), but the payoff? Totally worth it.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Horchata
- Long grain white rice
- Cinnamon stick (dried)
- Coffee beans (optional)
- Water
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Evaporated milk
- Vanilla extract
- Sugar (optional)
- Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
How to Make Horchata
In a blender, pulse the rice, cinnamon stick, and optional coffee beans until they break into small pieces.
Add water, vanilla extract, and sugar (if using). Blend until the sugar dissolves.
Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Blend until smooth.
Transfer the mixture to a pitcher and refrigerate for 12–24 hours to let the flavors meld.
After chilling, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. For an ultra-smooth texture, strain again using a cheesecloth.
Serve over ice, garnished with a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. For an adult twist, add a splash of tequila.
Tips & Suggestions
- Using a whole cinnamon stick instead of ground cinnamon imparts a more authentic Mexican flavor.
- The optional coffee beans add a subtle depth; feel free to skip them if you prefer a classic taste.
- Adjust the sugar to your sweetness preference, especially if you’re using sweetened condensed milk.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk products with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk.
Recipes to Pair with Horchata
Looking for the perfect dishes to enjoy alongside your homemade horchata? Here are some delightful options:
- Microwave Chicken Enchiladas
- Easy Microwave Queso Dip
- Rotisserie Chicken Tamales in the Instant Pot
- Microwave Mexican Rice
- El Fenix Enchilada Gravy for Authentic Tex Mex Cheese Enchiladas
- Mexican Tortilla Lasagna
- How to make Cilantro Lime Rice in the Instant Pot
How to make Horchata
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup of long grain white rice
- 1 cinnamon stick, dried
- 1 tablespoon of coffee beans, optional
- 6 1/2 cups of water
- 1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 12oz can of evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of sugar, optional
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender, chop the rice, coffee, and cinnamon stick on high until broken into small pieces.
- Add the water, vanilla, and sugar. Continue mixing until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the milk and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a pitcher and place in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
- Remove the pitcher and pour the mixture through a strainer. The size of the mesh will determine how much particulates strain through. For no particulates, strain again through a cheesecloth.
- Serve over ice with a cinnamon stick and ground cinnamon. For an adult spice, add some tequila!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 351Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 252mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 2gSugar: 47gProtein: 11g
Any nutritional information on thetiptoefairy.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate.
Come Join Us!
Liked this article and want more? Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube!
Come over and join us on Facebook in the group Recipes, Crafts, and more with TipToe Fairy or Sewing and Crafting with The TipToe Fairy!
Visit Our Other Sites!
Love to Read Romance Books? Want a FREE Book?
When emotionally guarded Wren inherits her eccentric aunt’s cottage on the edge of a forgotten forest, she expects dust, cobwebs, and maybe a few bad memories—not a living, breathing myth. There, among the tangled trees and whispered magic, she meets Ash—a smirking, sharp-tongued satyr and the last of his kind. As the forest stirs with old secrets and ancient longing, Wren finds herself drawn to the magic—and to the immortal trickster who might just be her undoing. Where the Wild Things Want You is a steamy, spell-soaked romantasy novella perfect for fans of slow-burn magic, prickly hearts, and love that grows like ivy through the cracks.