Looking for a refreshing drink for Cinco de Mayo? Try this vegan Horchata - it's a Sweet Mexican Rice Milk.
With Cinco de Mayo in mind I was in the mood to make vegan Horchata, a sweet Mexican Rice Milk, at home. I still remember my first Horchata because it's was only a few months ago, when I was visiting a Mexican Restaurant in Linz. I immediately fell in love with the drink and best part is that it's actually super easy to make at home. Especially for people who have made nutmilk or ricemilk at home - it's not much different!
There are so many possible varieties of Horchata - some make it out of almonds, sesame seeds, barley, chufas or like I did - with rice. Also what you put in a Horchata totally depends on the region, some may add vanilla, cocoa, nutmeg, lime zest or milk. There are also alcoholic versions of the drink.
I liked mine pretty simple with basmati rice, cinnamon & rice syrup. Feel free to use any sweetener you want, I just started to use rice syrup or dextrose for anything because they are fructose-free! If you're using granulated sugar I suggest placing it along with the rice and the cinnamon stick in the water and to leave it overnight, so that it can dissolve.
Vegan Horchata
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tablespoons Organic Rice Syrup or your preferred liquid sweetener
- 1 dash cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Place the uncooked basmati rice along with the cinnamon stick and water in a glass container and let it sit over night.
- The next day, pour the rice, cinnamon stick, water in a blender, add in the rice syrup (more to taste) and blend for a few minutes until no big pieces are left.
- Pour the mixture through a strainer and place it in the fridge for a few hours.
- When you serve the Horchata, pour it in a glass, add ice cubes & dash of cinnamon!
Linda @ Veganosity says
I've never had a horchata! It sounds really good and it looks like it's easy to make. I'll have to make one on May 5th. :)
bianca says
Yes! Cinco de Mayo would be the ideal occasion :)
Kat from curlsnchard.com says
I fell in love with horchata when I was in the US - especially Horchata de Morro, which is more common in Central America. I have never been able to make that myself though, because I simply cannot find morro seeds here in Europe. I have to try and make white horchata myself though - this typical Mexican horchata was always too sweet for me, wherever I tried it! :D
bianca says
Oh wow! I just had to google morros, they look interesting! I just learnt something new, so thank you! When I make something I never dare putting in that much sugar as restaurants or vendors, so it's always healthier ^.^
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
Gosh, I haven't had horchata in ages. This looks lovely! Just curious -- do you prefer rice syrup to maple?
bianca says
It's not like I wouldn't like maple syrup - I do, but I've been diagnosed with a light fructose malabsorption. And while I ignore it most of the times (I don't want to limit my fruit intake), I try to be mindful when it comes to sugar. In most sugars, including maple syrup is about half glucose and half fructose. That's why I've found rice syrup to be the perfect alternative for me and that's why it's in most of my recipes - but it can be easily exchanged with maple syrup. :D
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
Wow it is a lot like making homemade milk! I've made rice milk before, and I had no idea how close to Horchata I was :) It looks delicious, so many flavors I love <3 I really can't imagine what lime zest would taste like in the mix...sweet cinnamon milk + lime is definitely a new combo to me!
bianca says
Yes! It's simply sweetened Rice Milk with Cinnamon, hah :D but I want to try other flavors as well and I want to make a Horchata with almonds or almonds & rice soon ^.^ I don't know if it's good with lime... I guess there's only one way to find out!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Super gorgeous and inviting rice milk. Looks so divine! :)
bianca says
Thank you so much for your kind words, Anu! :)