Spiced Horchata
No party in my family was complete without a big jar of horchata sweating on the table. My abuela made hers with real cinnamon and a patience I did not appreciate until I tried to rush my own. That creamy, cinnamon-sweet rice drink was the thing my cousins and I lined up for, cups in hand, before the food was even ready. It tasted like summer and celebration and belonging. I make this spiced horchata now and one sip pulls a whole childhood back. Pour it over plenty of ice on a hot day and it still feels like a party is about to start.
This creamy Spiced Horchata is rich, smooth, and infused with warm cinnamon flavor. Made with jasmine rice, Saigon cinnamon sticks, and a blend of milks, this authentic homemade horchata recipe is perfectly sweet, ultra refreshing, and delicious served ice-cold.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups long grain jasmine rice rinsed
- 2 McCormick Gourmet Organice Saigon Cinnamon Sticks
- 4 cups boiling water
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups water
Instructions
Soak the Rice
In a large bowl, combine the rinsed jasmine rice and McCormick Gourmet™ Organic Saigon Cinnamon Sticks. Pour the boiling water over the top, making sure the rice and cinnamon sticks are fully submerged.Cover and let soak for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight for the best flavor and texture.Blend Until Smooth
Transfer the soaked rice mixture, including the cinnamon sticks and soaking liquid, into a blender.Blend until the mixture is very smooth and the rice is finely broken down.Strain the Mixture
Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large pitcher.This removes any remaining rice solids and creates the smooth, silky texture horchata is famous for.Pro Tip: For extra smooth horchata, strain the mixture twice.Add the Milks & Sweeten
To the strained mixture, add the milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and 2 cups of water.Stir until everything is fully combined and creamy.Chill & Serve
Refrigerate until completely cold, or serve immediately over ice.Garnish with extra McCormick Gourmet™ Organic Saigon Cinnamon Sticks for a beautiful presentation and even more cinnamon flavor.