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–+ servings
Two glasses of horchata agua fresca with a pitcher behind it

Horchata Agua Fresca

by Gemma Aguayo-Murphy
Making authentic Horchata Agua Fresca at home is easier than you might think. This cooling rice drink is a traditional Mexican beverage made with only 5 ingredients that comes out sweet, velvety smooth, and with the perfect touch of cinnamon.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Soaking Time 8 hours
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8
Calories 329 kcal

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Mesh strainer
  • Cheesecloth or nut milk bag
  • Pitcher

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups long-grain rice
  • 2 ½ cups hot water
  • 1 medium Ceylon cinnamon stick or half of a large one
  • ½ cup cane sugar (plus more to taste)
  • 4 cups cold water
  • 1 cup ice (plus more for serving)
  • 12 oz evaporated milk (optional, see recipe) or 1 ½ cups of whole milk
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place the uncooked rice in a medium bowl.
  • Completely cover the rice with hot water, about 2 ½ cups.
  • Cover the bowl and leave the rice to soak in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours but preferably overnight. Soaking will soften the rice, making it easier to blend.
  • Pour the soaked rice, cinnamon stick, and water into a blender.
  • Add 4 cups of cold water and 1 cup of ice and blend for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
  • Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag into a pitcher.
  • Squeeze or press the cheesecloth or nut milk bag to get as much liquid from the solids as possible.
  • Dispose of the rice solids.
  • Stir in ½ a cup of sugar until fully dissolved.
  • Taste and add more sugar to your desired level of sweetness.
  • If using milk, stir it in at this time. You may also have to add more sugar, but taste the drink again before adding.
  • Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour until cold.
  • Stir and serve cold over ice. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired.

Notes

  • If you want to use milk but prefer a dairy-free or vegan option, use almond milk or evaporated coconut milk.
  • Cane sugar can also be replaced with monk fruit sweetener, agave syrup or even honey for a slight variation in flavor.
  • You can omit the cinnamon stick altogether and substitute with a ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon when blending.
  • If using the cinnamon stick but a stronger cinnamon flavor is desired, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon when blending. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 329kcalCarbohydrates: 71.7gProtein: 3.7gFat: 3.2gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 52mgPotassium: 135mgFiber: 0.7gSugar: 4.3gCalcium: 126mgIron: 2mg
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