When my boyfriend and I were in California he fell in love with Horchata after having a glass at one of the many taquerias we dined at. Horchata refers to a beverage that consists of grains and/or nuts soaked in water. The version Americans are often most familiar with is a rice cooler. This particular version, inspired by a recipe found in Mexico One Plate at a Time, involves soaking rice, blanched almonds, and a cinnamon stick in water. I finish it off with sugar for sweetness and vanilla soymilk for extra richness and body.
I was incredibly pleased with how this turned out. It tasted remarkably close to the Horchata we enjoyed in California. It’s reminiscent of rice pudding, but more refreshing and light. I purposefully made a small batch because I knew I’d end up drinking more than enough, however now that it’s gone I’m wishing for more.
Extra Rich Vegan Horchata
Makes 3 cups. Serves 2.
Ingredients:
1/3 cups (2.5 ounces) rice – medium- or long-grain rice will work fine
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (3 ounces) blanched almonds
A 3-inch piece of cinnamon stick
1 1/4 cups hot tap water
1/2 cup turbinado sugar, plus more to taste
1 cup cold vanilla soymilk
Method:
In a large bowl, combine the rice, almonds, cinnamon stick and water. Cool, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Pour the mixture into a blender or food processor, add the sugar and blend on high for several minutes, until the mixture is as smooth as possible – there will still be a hint of grittiness when you rub a drop between your fingers. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids until only a dryish pulp remains. Pour into a pitcher and add the soymilk. Taste and sweeten with more sugar to taste, if needed. Enjoy over ice.
Makes 3 cups. Serves 2.
Ingredients:
1/3 cups (2.5 ounces) rice – medium- or long-grain rice will work fine
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (3 ounces) blanched almonds
A 3-inch piece of cinnamon stick
1 1/4 cups hot tap water
1/2 cup turbinado sugar, plus more to taste
1 cup cold vanilla soymilk
Method:
In a large bowl, combine the rice, almonds, cinnamon stick and water. Cool, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Pour the mixture into a blender or food processor, add the sugar and blend on high for several minutes, until the mixture is as smooth as possible – there will still be a hint of grittiness when you rub a drop between your fingers. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids until only a dryish pulp remains. Pour into a pitcher and add the soymilk. Taste and sweeten with more sugar to taste, if needed. Enjoy over ice.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds delicious!
hmmm. that looks delicious
GORRRGEOUS beverage!!
hi.nice site ?..I’m not vegan but this sounds yummy…
hi.nice site ?..I’m not vegan but this sounds yummy…
Mmm, I love horchata! Glad you found a vegan recipe you enjoy!
I miss California!
Meg, Susan, and Veggiegirl – Thanks!
Peachkins – Neither am I actually. However, since this month is Vegan Month of Food I wanted to try only vegan cooking and baking. I figured it would be an interesting challenge and would open my eyes to more animal product free meals.
Karen – Glad to know there are other Horchata lovers out there. Thanks for visiting.
i’m glad someone liked seeing my abnormal stuff! maybe i’ll have to get back to the library and try out some more obscure countries…
thanks for giving me a little kick in the butt to get back on track, after all, it’s not been a year yet!
I never really dared to try Horchata while I live in Oregon, where taquerias were very common like starbucks in seattle. But now that I am away from the United States and back in my island, I wish I did try it, especially after how you described it!
I think I will try out your recipe, you described it so vividly well.
Ashlee – I’ll look forward to seeing those recipes. They inspire me to be more adventurous.
Para – Let me know if you try it.
Horchata! Rice Dreams makes a Horchata beverage that is to-die-for. I could drink it every day, I found one recipe that comes close to it, but it’s obscenely complicated. Yours looks much easier.
Oh WOW Kelly! YUM! This looks so easy! Why don’t I have a sieve… on my shopping list.
Erika – Mmmm! I will have to try their version. Although the good thing about this one is that it allows me to make a dent in my huge rice stash. I made another batch last night/today and I’m thinking about giving it a few churns in my ice cream maker to make a Horchata slush. Yum!
Guava – I love my sieve. It’s helpful for a lot of uses.
I would bathe in horchata… i looooooooove it.
This sounds so delicious!!! I am printing this recipe for future reference!
Wow, that sounds interesting, I might have to try it!
i love agua de horchata! its one of my favorite typical drinks!
i love agua de horchata! its one of my favorite typical drinks!