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Mexicandrinkveganvegetariangluten-freedairy-free
Horchata Casera
Horchata Casera is a traditional Mexican rice-based cold drink that originated in Mexico, adapted from a Spanish beverage brought during the colonial period and beloved across the country from Jalisco to Mexico City. This creamy, cinnamon-infused drink is made by soaking and blending white rice with cinnamon, then sweetening and serving it ice-cold for a refreshing, dairy-free treat.
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Instructions
- 1
Rinse 1 cup of white rice under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear to remove excess starch.
- 2
Place the rinsed rice and 2 cinnamon sticks into a large bowl or pitcher. Add 3 cups of cold water, stir briefly, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- 3
After soaking, remove the cinnamon sticks and pour the rice along with its soaking water into a high-powered blender.
- 4
Blend the rice and soaking water on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is as smooth and milky as possible.
- 5
Place a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a thin cotton cloth over a large pitcher. Pour the blended rice mixture through the strainer, pressing gently on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the rice solids.
- 6
Add 3 more cups of cold water, 1 cup of almond milk or water, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the strained liquid in the pitcher.
- 7
Stir vigorously until all the sugar is fully dissolved, about 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more sugar if desired.
- 8
Refrigerate the horchata until thoroughly chilled, at least 30 minutes. Stir or shake well before serving as the liquid tends to separate.
- 9
Fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled horchata over the ice. Dust each glass lightly with ground cinnamon and serve immediately.
