• Español

Camila Made

  • Recipes
  • Chipa
  • Videos
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Chipa
  • Videos
  • About

search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Chipa
  • Videos
  • About

×
HOME » Mexican

The Best Horchata

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

Horchata is a classic Mexican beverage known for its refreshing taste and creamy texture. It's a perfect drink to cool down on a hot day or to enjoy as a delicious treat anytime. With just a handful of ingredients, you can easily make your own homemade horchata.

The Best Homemade Horchata
Jump to
  • How to Make Horchata
  •  Watch Recipe Video
  •  Pair with
  •  You may also like
  • Recipe

This recipe for horchata combines the exquisite flavors of rice, sweetened condensed milk, milk, evaporated milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a hint of sweetness, resulting in a drink that will leave you craving more.

This easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through the steps of soaking the rice, blending it with the perfect balance of cinnamon and other ingredients, and straining it to achieve a luxuriously smooth and velvety consistency.

We are confident that you'll fall in love with this horchata recipe, just like our family has!

Over the years, horchata has become a staple in our household. The luscious creaminess, combined with the comforting aroma of cinnamon, creates an irresistible concoction that will surely become a favorite among all ages.

How to Make Horchata

Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.

In a blender, add 1 cup of white rice. Blend the rice on high speed until it is ground. Add the cinnamon sticks and 2 cups of hot water to the blender.

Rice in blender
Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.2.1 edited
Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.2.2 edited
Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.2.3

Cover the blender and let the mixture soak on your counter overnight or for at least 4 hours to allow the rice to hydrate and soften. Once the soaking time is complete, blend the rice mixture again at high speed until it becomes smooth and creamy.

Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher. Lay a cheesecloth over the strainer, ensuring it covers the entire surface area.
Pour the rice mixture into the cheesecloth-covered strainer, allowing it to strain into the pitcher. Discard any residue left in the strainer.

Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.5.1 edited
Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.5.2

Add 6 cups of cold filtered water to the pitcher. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. Stir the mixture vigorously until everything is well combined and smooth.

Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.6.2 edited 1
Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.6.1 edited 1
Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.6.3 edited
Still 2024 10 14 114425 1.6.4 edited

Taste the horchata and adjust the sweetness by adding sugar if necessary. Place the horchata in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let it chill and allow the flavors to meld.

Before serving, give the horchata a good stir to ensure it is well-mixed. Serve it over lots of ice to keep it refreshingly cold. 

👀Note: Keep it at room temperature for no more than 30 minutes.

The Best Horchata

 Watch Recipe Video

 Pair with

  • Pé de moça served in a plate
    Pé de Moça
  • Pe de Moleque close up side view
    Pé de Moleque
  • Dulce de Leche Cortada in a brown bowl
    Dulce de Leche Cortada
  • Crepas dulces with nutella top view
    Crepas Dulces

 You may also like

  • Atole de Avena 3
    Atole de Avena: Easy Oatmeal Drink
  • Atole de Maizena 2-01
    Atole de Maizena
  • Hot Apple Cider
    Hot Apple Cider
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte The Fall Drink You Can't Get Enough Of
    Pumpkin Spice Latte

Recipe

Easy Horchata

by Camila Benitez
The Easiest Horchata
Horchata is a classic Mexican beverage known for its refreshing taste and creamy texture. It's a perfect drink to cool down on a hot day or to enjoy as a delicious treat anytime. With just a handful of ingredients, you can easily make your own homemade horchata.
  • Español
  • Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 6 minutes mins
    Total Time 11 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Latin American
    Servings 5 cups
    Calories 180 kcal

    Equipment

    • Blender
    • Fine-mesh sieve
    • cheesecloth
    • Pitcher
    • Measuring cups

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup long-grain white rice dry and uncooked
    • 2 small cinnamon stick
    • 1 (14 oz) can full fat Sweetened condensed milk or ½ cup of sugar (adjust to taste)
    • 2 cups hot water
    • 6 cups cold filter water
    • 1 (12oz) can full fat evaporated milk or whole milk (you can use almond milk or rice milk as a dairy-free alternative)
    • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract , optional but highly recommended

    Instructions
     

    • In a blender, add 1 cup of white rice. Blend the rice on high speed until it is ground. Add the cinnamon sticks and 2 cups of hot water to the blender. Cover the blender and let the mixture soak on your counter overnight or for at least 4 hours to allow the rice to hydrate and soften. Once the soaking time is complete, blend the rice mixture again at high speed until it becomes smooth and creamy.
    • Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher. Lay a cheesecloth over the strainer, ensuring it covers the entire surface area.
    • Pour the rice mixture into the cheesecloth-covered strainer, allowing it to strain into the pitcher. Discard any residue left in the strainer.
    • Add 6 cups of cold filtered water to the pitcher. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. Stir the mixture vigorously until everything is well combined and smooth. Taste the horchata and adjust the sweetness by adding sugar if necessary. Place the horchata in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let it chill and allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, give the horchata a good stir to ensure it is well-mixed. Serve the horchata over lots of ice to keep it refreshingly cold.
    • 👀Note: Keep horchata at room temperature for no more than 30 minutes.

    Watch how to make it

    Notes

    How to Store & Re-Heat
    Horchata can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you have leftover horchata that you want to reheat, pour the desired amount into a small saucepan and heat it over low heat, occasionally stirring, until warm. Do not boil or heat it high, which may cause the ingredients to separate or curdle. Alternatively, you can heat the horchata in the microwave in 20-30 second increments, stirring in between until warm. Once heated, serve the horchata immediately over ice or at room temperature, garnished with a cinnamon stick or sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.
    Note that the texture and flavor may slightly change after reheating, but it should still be enjoyable.
    Make-Ahead
    You can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. To make this recipe ahead, follow the recipe instructions and allow the drink to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    When ready to serve, stir it well and pour it over ice or reheat as desired, following the earlier instructions. Note that its flavors will intensify as it sits, so it may taste slightly stronger if you make it ahead of time. Additionally, the rice particles may settle to the bottom of the container, so give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the ingredients evenly. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Horchata
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    180
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.1
    g
    1
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.3
    g
    Sodium
     
    22
    mg
    1
    %
    Potassium
     
    62
    mg
    2
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    38
    g
    13
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    0.4
    g
    0
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    4
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.1
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    38
    mg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    0.5
    mg
    3
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.

    MEXICAN RECIPES

    • Caldo de Albóndigas close out
      Caldo de Albóndigas
    • Mexican Breakfast Burrito Close-up texture shot in a plate
      Mexican Breakfast Burrito
    • Chipotle Steak Tacos close out
      Chipotle Steak Tacos
    • Tacos Envenenados top view close up with avocado crema
      Tacos Envenenados

    Published: Jul 5, 2023 · Last Updated: Aug 10, 2025 by Camila Benitez · This post may contain affiliate links

    About

    Welcome to Camila Made! My name is Camila Benitez. Here, I share our family's favorite recipes, all tried and loved, from holiday feasts and entertaining to everyday family meals and plenty of baked goods! 🍪😜

    More about me →

    As Featured in

    Top 15 Latin Food Blog

    Most Recent Recipes

    • Camotes Horneados in a white bowl
      Camotes Horneados
    • Bolo de Coco in a plate
      Bolo de Coco
    • Blueberry lemon cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, bright natural window light, soft moist crumb with juicy blueberries, airy frosting, slightly uneven
      Blueberry Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Arroz Carreteiro close out
      Arroz Carreteiro

    See All Recipes→

    Paraguayan Recipes

    • Sopa de pollo close out
      Sopa de pollo
    • Jopara side view in a spoon
      Jopara
    • Ensalada de Coditos macro
      Ensalada de Coditos
    • Kivevé dulce is a traditional Paraguayan pumpkin in a spoon
      Kivevé Dulce

    See Paraguayan Recipes→

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Desserts

    • Pies
    • Cakes
    • Scones
    • Muffins
    • Cookies
    • BUNDT CAKES

    Courses

    • Appetizer
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Side Dishes
    • Salad

    Cuisine

    • Asian
    • Italian
    • Mexican
    • Brazilian
    • Paraguayan
    • Argentinian

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Youtube Channel
    • Canal de Youtube
    • RECETAS EN ESPAÑOL

    This site contains affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help support Camila Made at no extra charge.

    Copyright © 2026 Camila Made | All Rights Reserved

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required