The refreshing and delicious homemade Strawberry horchata recipe is a perfect combination of traditional horchata and strawberry smoothie. It is also easy and quick to prepare. Soaking the rice overnight is not required. To vary slightly from the Agua de Horchata, I added fresh strawberries. I like to sweeten with condensed milk or regular sugar, but if you prefer a healthier option, use stevia or your favorite sweetener.
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What is Strawberry horchata?
Strawberry horchata is a delicious and refreshing beverage that is a variation of the traditional horchata drink. Horchata is a popular Mexican and Latin American beverage made from rice, water, sugar, and cinnamon. It's known for its sweet and cinnamon-infused flavor and is often served cold over ice.
Strawberry Horchata Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Raw white rice: This is the main ingredient for making Strawberry Horchata. It adds a creamy texture to the drink once blended and mixed with the other ingredients.
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are added to the horchata mixture to give it a fruity and refreshing taste. Make sure to cut off the stem and hull of each strawberry before blending.
- Cinnamon stick: This is added to the rice mixture while blending to give it a warm and slightly spicy flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This is added to the mixture to add sweetness and creaminess to the drink.
- Hot water: This is used to soak the rice and cinnamon stick before blending.
- Cold filter water: This is added to the mixture to dilute the horchata and achieve the desired consistency.
- Evaporated milk or whole milk: This adds richness and creaminess to the drink.
- Pure vanilla extract: This adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the horchata.
- Sugar: This can be added to sweeten the drink taste, or a healthier sweetener like stevia can be used instead.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Strawberry Horchata
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Add two cups of hot water and the rice and cinnamon stick in a blender. Let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes (this will allow the rice to hydrate and soften). After soaking, blend the rice mixture at high speed until completely pulverized and the mixture is smooth. Add the fresh strawberries, and blend until smooth and completely liquified. Strain the Rice and strawberry mixture into a large pitcher (discard any residue in the strainer).
Add 6 cups of cold filter water, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla, and stir until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust sugar if necessary. Refrigerate or serve the Strawberry Horchata with lots of ice cubes. Enjoy!
Substitutions
- Rice: If you don't have raw white rice, you can use another type of rice, such as jasmine or basmati. However, the flavor and texture of the horchata may be slightly different.
- Strawberries: If you don't have fresh strawberries, you can use frozen strawberries instead. You can also substitute with other berries, such as raspberries or blackberries.
- Cinnamon stick: If you don't have a cinnamon stick, use ground cinnamon instead. Use ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon for every 1 inch of cinnamon stick.
- Sweetened condensed milk: If you prefer a vegan or dairy-free option, use coconut. Alternatively, you can use plant-based almond or coconut milk and sweeten it with your preferred sweetener.
- Evaporated milk or whole milk: If you prefer a vegan or dairy-free option, use plant-based milk such as almond or coconut milk.
- Sugar: You can substitute the sugar with a healthier sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, or stevia.
Variations
- Chocolate Strawberry Horchata: Add cocoa powder to the mixture for a chocolate twist on the classic horchata recipe.
- Strawberry Banana Horchata: Add a ripe banana to the mixture for a creamier and fruitier horchata.
- Spicy Strawberry Horchata: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the mixture for a spicy kick.
- Strawberry Coconut Horchata: Use coconut milk instead of evaporated or whole milk for a dairy-free and tropical twist on the traditional horchata recipe.
- Mixed Berry Horchata: Combine strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries to create a mixed berry horchata.
- Pistachio Strawberry Horchata: Add pistachios to the mixture to create a nutty and flavorful horchata.
- Matcha Strawberry Horchata: Add matcha powder to the mixture for a unique and refreshing twist on the classic horchata recipe.
How to Serve
- Serve over ice: Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the horchata over the ice. This is a refreshing way to enjoy a drink on a hot day.
- Top with whipped cream: Add a dollop to the horchata for an extra creamy and indulgent treat.
- Garnish with strawberries: Add a sliced strawberry on top of the whipped cream for a pretty and fruity garnish.
- Serve with a cinnamon stick: Add a cinnamon stick to each glass for a touch of spice and aroma.
- Pair with Mexican cuisine: Horchata is often served alongside spicy or savory Mexican dishes, such as tacos or enchiladas, to help cool down the palate.
How to Store
To store strawberry horchata, pour the mixture into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. It's important to note that the horchata tends to have solids settle at the bottom of the pitcher, so always stir before serving.
Make-Ahead
You can make strawberry horchata ahead of time, but it's important to note that the mixture tends to separate over time. To avoid this, store the rice mixture and the liquid mixture separately and combine them right before serving. You can make the rice mixture by blending the rice, hot water, and cinnamon stick and storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also blend the strawberries and store them in a separate container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
When ready to serve, strain the rice mixture into a large pitcher and add the cold water, condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla, and sugar to taste. Add the blended strawberries and stir until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve. It's important to note that the longer the horchata sits, the more the rice sediment will settle to the bottom of the pitcher, so always stir before serving.
How to Freeze
Strawberry horchata can be frozen for up to 2 months. However, it's important to note that the texture may change slightly after being frozen and thawed, and the rice sediment may settle at the bottom of the pitcher. Here's how to freeze and thaw strawberry horchata:
- To freeze: Pour the horchata into a freezer-safe container, leaving some room at the top for expansion. Seal the container tightly and label it with the date. Place the container in the freezer and freeze for up to 2 months.
- To thaw: Remove the container from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Alternatively, you can thaw it at room temperature for a few hours but stir it occasionally to help distribute the rice sediment. Once thawed, stir the horchata well to combine any separated ingredients.
It's important to note that the texture of the horchata may change after being frozen and thawed, and the rice sediment may settle at the bottom of the pitcher. To help distribute the sediment, stir the horchata well before serving. After thawing, add more water to the mixture if it's too thick.
Tips for Making The Best Strawberry Horchata
- Blend the rice mixture thoroughly: Blend the rice, cinnamon stick, and hot water until the mixture is completely pulverized and smooth. This will help achieve the creamy and smooth texture that horchata is known for.
- Use cold water: When adding water to the mixture, use cold water instead of warm water. This will help prevent the horchata from becoming too thick or grainy.
- Let the horchata chill: After making it, chill in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This will help the flavors meld together and refresh the horchata.
- Stir before serving: Horchata tends to settle over time, so it's important to stir the mixture well before serving to ensure that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Adjust sweetness to taste: The sweetness of horchata can vary depending on personal preference, so adjust the amount of sugar or sweetener to your liking.
- Experiment with flavors: Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients to make your unique horchata recipe. You can add different fruits, spices, or even nuts to the mixture to create a flavor that's all your own.
FAQ
Is horchata gluten-free?
Horchata is typically gluten-free since it's made with rice and contains no wheat-based ingredients. However, it's important to check the labels of any sweeteners or milk products used in the recipe to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Can I make horchata without a blender?
While a blender is the most efficient tool for making horchata, you can also use a food processor, mortar, and pestle. However, the resulting texture may not be as smooth as using a blender.
How long does horchata last in the refrigerator?
Horchata can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container. However, the texture may change over time, and the rice sediment may settle at the bottom of the pitcher, so it's important to stir well before serving.
Can I use almond milk instead of evaporated milk or whole milk?
You can substitute almond milk or plant-based milk for evaporated or whole milk to make a dairy-free version of horchata.
Can I make horchata without sugar?
You can omit the sugar or use a sugar substitute such as honey, maple syrup, or stevia if you prefer a healthier or lower-sugar version of horchata.
Related Recipes:
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Horchata
- Oatmeal Horchata
- Papaya smoothie
- Green Apple Oatmeal Smoothie
- Avocado shake
Recipe
Easy Strawberry Horchata
Ingredients
- 227 g (1 cup)raw white rice
- 454 g strawberries (Cut off the stem and the hull of each strawberry with a paring knife).
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 1 can (14 oz) full fat Sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups hot water
- 6 cups of cold filter water
- 1 can (12oz) full fat evaporated milk or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- sugar to taste
Instructions
- In a blender, add two cups of hot water along with the rice and cinnamon stick. Let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes (this will allow the rice to hydrate and soften). After soaking, blend the rice mixture at high speed until completely pulverized and the mixture is smooth. Add the fresh strawberries, and blend until smooth and completely liquified.
- Strain the Rice and strawberry mixture into a large pitcher (discard any residue in the strainer). Add 6 cups of cold filter water, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla, and stir until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust sugar if necessary. Refrigerate or serve the Strawberry Horchata with lots of ice cubes. Enjoy!
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.