Horchata
A milky, refreshing rice drink flavored with cinnamon hailing from those culinary geniuses of Mexico. This drink has always been my favorite summer refresher. It is creamy, comforting, and cool.
A milky, refreshing rice drink flavored with cinnamon hailing from those culinary geniuses of Mexico. This drink has always been my favorite summer refresher. It is creamy, comforting, and cool.
- Carbohydrate 36.1952448889849 g
- Cholesterol 7.6275 mg
- Fat 4.24627964711056 g
- Fiber 2.78285346533601 g
- Protein 4.23681384717778 g
- Saturated Fat 2.06220616057872 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (219g)
- Sodium 102.595715974399 mg
- Sugar 33.4123914236489 g
- Trans Fat 0.448360996058988 g
- Calories 204 calories
Step-by-step
- Place the rice in a bowl, cover with hot water. Roughly break the cinnamon stick into pieces and add to the rice mix. Let it all sit and rest anywhere from 4 to 8 hours outside of the refrigerator.
- Place half of the rice mixture in the blender with the coconut water and vanilla and blend until smooth, strain into a pitcher or container. Place the other half of the rice mixture in the blender with the milk and the sugar, blend on high speed until smooth and strain into the same pitcher or container.
- Stir well and serve over ice cubes, or place in the refrigerator until it is cold. Serve with more ice cubers to your liking and sprinkle some ground cinnamon on top because cinnamon is delicious and makes us happy.
The Power of the Soak
Operating under tight scheduling constraints requires strategic planning, because raw rice needs a minimum of four hours to soften fully in hot water. Breaking the cinnamon stick into smaller fragments before steeping exposes more surface area, allowing essential oils to infuse the soaking liquid efficiently. While chemical compounds like cinnamaldehyde bind naturally with the starches released from the grain, extending this rest window up to eight hours extracts maximum depth without compromising the final texture.
Blending and Straining Mechanics
Processing the solids in two distinct batches prevents motor strain while ensuring complete pulverization of the dense grains. Coconut water provides a clean hydration medium for the first half of the mixture, whereas whole dairy handles the sugar dissolution in the second batch. Passing both blends through a fine-mesh sieve removes gritty starch particles, resulting in a silky mouthfeel that coats the glass evenly.
Storage and Keeping Quality
Prepared beverages maintain optimal quality when sealed tightly in a glass pitcher and kept below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Natural separation occurs during chilling, requiring a thorough stir before pouring over fresh ice cubes. Enjoy the batch within three days for the brightest flavor profile, as the dairy components begin to degrade past this window.
