Horchata

Horchata recipe

Planning a Mexican feast? Be sure to include horchata on the menu! This refreshing and creamy ice-cold drink is a delightful summer beverage and pairs perfectly with all your favourite Mexican dishes like tacos, nachos and corn chips with guacamole. Its light sweetness contrasts the rich and spicy flavours of Latin American cuisine, making it an excellent palate-cleanser. 

What is horchata?

Horchata is a popular plant-based Mexican drink best served over ice. It is often sweetened with sugar and flavoured with vanilla, cinnamon and sometimes almonds. You can find horchata in Central American countries like Mexico, El Salvador and Nicaragua, in some parts of the US and even Australia. 

Our horchata is made using pantry staples you may already have sitting around, such as white rice, cinnamon, brown sugar, almond milk and vanilla bean paste. 

How to make horchata

To make homemade horchata, you’ll need a high-powered blender to blitz the rice and cinnamon with water. Once blended, transfer to a large jug and cover. Let the mixture steep overnight in the refrigerator. In the morning, strain it through a sieve or lined colander to discard any solids before adding the almond milk, sugar and vanilla paste. When the sugar has dissolved, you’re ready to serve! 

We’ve used almond milk as its subtle nuttiness complements the cinnamon and vanilla, but horchata can be made with your preferred dairy or plant-based milk. For an extra kick of flavour, coconut milk would be a luscious substitute. Some versions even call for evaporated milk or condensed milk for an ultra-creamy result that becomes almost dessert-like.

Now get cooking

For more Mexican-inspired drinks, try the recipe for this refreshing grapefruit and jalapeño chilli margarita or margarita on the rocks. Serve them up with spiced guacamole, mini prawn tostadas with mango salsa or these Mexican-style hot dogs for an outdoor BBQ.