Plant-based Beverages

Easy Horchata — Cinnamon Rice Milk Drink is my go to answer for those days when it is hot out, I want something sweet, and I am honestly tired of plain water. You know that moment when you open the fridge, stare for a second, and everything feels kind of boring? This is the drink that fixes that mood fast. It is creamy, lightly spiced, and feels like a treat, but it is made from super normal pantry stuff. I started making it at home because buying it out can be hit or miss, sometimes it is too sugary or tastes like fake cinnamon. This version is gentle, cozy, and you can tweak it exactly how you like it.

Best Horchata Recipe

I like my horchata on the lighter side, with a clean cinnamon flavor and just enough sweetness to feel special. The key is giving the rice time to soak so it blends smooth, and then straining it so the drink is silky instead of gritty. If you have ever tried horchata that feels chalky, it usually just needed more soaking or a better strain.

Also, this recipe is easy to scale. Making a big pitcher is perfect for weekends, family dinners, or when you are doing a little cooking marathon. Sometimes I make horchata first, then I get dinner going, like this cozy easy avgolemono soup Greek lemon rice chicken situation when I want comfort food with a bright twist.

Ingredients you will need

• White rice, uncooked, long grain is easiest
• Cinnamon, 1 or 2 sticks (or a bit of ground cinnamon if that is what you have)
• Water, for soaking and blending
• Milk of choice (dairy milk, almond milk, or oat milk all work)
• Sweetener, like sugar, honey, or condensed milk
• Vanilla extract (optional but really nice)
• Tiny pinch of salt (it makes the flavor pop, I promise)

What it tastes like when it is right

When it is good, horchata should taste like cinnamon toast in drink form, but not heavy. You get that soft rice milk vibe, a warm cinnamon scent, and a cold creamy finish. I always take one sip and immediately want a second, which is how I know it is ready.

How to make horchata

This is not a fussy recipe. It is basically soak, blend, strain, and chill. The only thing that takes time is the soak, but it is hands off time, so you can do literally anything else. I have even made it while meal prepping a weeknight dinner like this deliciously easy Instant Pot creamy chicken and rice recipe because the kitchen is already in motion anyway.

Step by step directions

• Rinse 1 cup of white rice until the water looks less cloudy. It does not need to be perfect, just a quick rinse.
• Add the rice to a bowl with 2 cinnamon sticks and 3 cups of water. Cover and soak at least 4 hours, or overnight for the smoothest result.
• Pour everything into a blender (yes, rice and cinnamon too). Blend until it looks milky and the rice seems broken down well, usually 1 to 2 minutes.
• Strain it through a fine mesh strainer, nut milk bag, or a couple layers of cheesecloth into a pitcher. Press or squeeze to get the liquid out.
• Stir in 2 to 3 cups of milk of choice, sweetener to taste, 1 teaspoon vanilla if using, and a pinch of salt.
• Chill at least 2 hours. Serve over ice and sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon on top if you want it pretty.

A quick heads up, this Easy Horchata — Cinnamon Rice Milk Drink will thicken a little as it chills. That is normal. Just stir it before pouring.

What readers are saying

I have shared this horchata recipe with friends, neighbors, and the kind of people who always say, “I do not cook,” but somehow still want homemade drinks. The most common comment is that it tastes cleaner and less sugary than what they have tried in restaurants. People also love that it is flexible, especially with the milk and sweetener choices.

If you are serving it with dessert, it is so good with cinnamon things. I mean, obviously. I once brought a pitcher of it to a casual get together where someone served this easy caramel apple cinnamon roll lasagna and it felt like the whole table agreed it was a perfect match.

“I made this last weekend and my kids asked for it again the next day. It is creamy, not gritty, and the cinnamon flavor is just right. I love that I can control the sugar.”

Anas Recipe Notes

Here is the stuff I wish someone told me the first time I made Easy Horchata — Cinnamon Rice Milk Drink at home. These are little details, but they make the difference between “pretty good” and “why is this so good.”

Soak time matters. If you can do overnight, do it. The rice softens more, and blending is easier. If you are short on time, 4 hours works, but the texture might be a tiny bit less smooth.

Straining is not optional if you want that classic feel. You can strain once for a more rustic texture, or strain twice if you want it extra silky. If your blender is not super powerful, double straining helps a lot.

Sweetener tips: If you use regular sugar, dissolve it well by stirring for a full minute. If you use honey, add it after the drink has cooled a bit so it blends in smoothly. If you use sweetened condensed milk, start small and taste as you go, it gets sweet fast.

Cinnamon stick vs ground cinnamon: Sticks are easier to strain out and give a softer flavor. Ground cinnamon can leave specks floating around, which is not bad, just a different look. If you only have ground cinnamon, use a small amount, blend, then strain well.

One more random thing I love, horchata is great when you are serving a meal with rice since it kind of fits the theme. If you are into one pot dinners, you might also like this deliciously easy one pot moussaka beef rice pilaf recipe. It is a totally different flavor direction, but the comfort level is similar.

How to Store

Homemade horchata is best cold and fresh, but it stores well if you keep it simple.

In the fridge: Pour it into a covered pitcher or jar and refrigerate. It stays good for about 3 to 4 days. It will separate, so just stir or shake before serving. I actually think it tastes better after it has had a night to chill because the cinnamon settles into everything.

In the freezer: You can freeze it, but the texture can change a bit when it thaws, especially if you used dairy milk. If you want to freeze, I suggest freezing the strained rice cinnamon base first, then thaw and add milk later.

Food safety note: If you left it out at room temp for a couple of hours at a party, do not push your luck. Put it back in the fridge as soon as you can, especially if it has milk in it.

Common Questions

1) Can I make horchata without dairy?
Yes. Use almond milk, oat milk, or even just water for a lighter version. Oat milk makes it extra cozy and creamy.

2) Why does my horchata feel gritty?
Usually it needs a longer soak, a longer blend, or a better strain. Try soaking overnight and straining through a nut milk bag if you have one.

3) Can I use brown rice?
You can, but it takes longer to soften and the flavor is a bit nuttier. If you try it, soak overnight and expect a slightly different vibe than the classic version.

4) How sweet should it be?
Totally personal. Start with a small amount of sweetener, stir, taste, and adjust. I like it lightly sweet because you can always add more in your glass.

5) Can I add coffee or chocolate?
Yes, and it is amazing. A splash of cold brew turns it into a little treat. If you want the chocolate route, you might like this cozy drink idea too: deliciously easy homemade drinking chocolate recipe to savor.

A cozy drink you will want on repeat

If you make this Easy Horchata — Cinnamon Rice Milk Drink once, it is hard not to keep it in your fridge all summer. It is simple, budget friendly, and you can tweak it until it tastes exactly how you like. If you want more ideas and another trusted method, check out Horchata Made Easy Recipe – Allrecipes and compare it with this classic take from Horchata Recipe | Popular Mexican Rice Drink. Now go rinse that rice, grab your cinnamon, and make yourself a cold glass. You deserve a drink that feels like a little reward.