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If you’ve never tried Mexican horchata, you’re in for a real treat. This traditional drink is smooth, creamy and full of warm cinnamon flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. Made from blended rice, almonds and milk, horchata is a staple in Mexican cuisine and incredibly refreshing served over ice. It’s easy to prepare at home with simple ingredients and a blender. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, hot days or whenever you crave something cool and comforting.

A glass of Mexican Horchata topped with cinnamon sits on a white table beside a cinnamon stick and a pink napkin, perfectly showcasing this classic iced rice milk beverage.

Mexican horchata is a creamy rice and cinnamon drink that’s super easy to make at home. Serve it over ice for a sweet, refreshing treat with bold cinnamon flavor.

Love trying out new drinks? Also try passion fruit margaritas, healthy morning green juice or strawberry paloma cocktails.

Iced latte with cinnamon on a wooden board, beside almonds and a pink cloth on a white surface, inspired by the classic homemade horchata iced rice milk beverage.

Why You’ll Love It

Authentic flavor: This recipe captures the traditional taste of real horchata.
Simple ingredients: Everything needed is easy to find in most kitchens.
Perfectly spiced: Cinnamon and vanilla bring warmth and depth.
Cool and refreshing: Serve it over ice for a creamy, chilled drink.
Make ahead friendly: Letting it chill enhances the flavor.

A glass of frothy, creamy Mexican Horchata sits on a white surface next to a wooden board, topped with cinnamon for the perfect iced rice milk beverage.

Mexican Horchata Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Long grain white rice: The base of horchata, giving it a smooth texture.
Almonds: Add nuttiness and richness to the drink.
Ground cinnamon: Brings a warm, spicy-sweet flavor. I like to use cinnamon I grate from cinnamon sticks not pre-ground powder. However, either will work.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the drink just enough.
Water: Helps soften and blend the rice and almonds.
Milk: Makes the drink creamy and smooth.
Vanilla extract: Adds extra depth and aroma.

Bowl of rice, milk, sugar, water, almonds, and cinnamon sticks on a light surface—everything you need to learn how to make horchata or enjoy a refreshing iced rice milk beverage at home.

How to Make Homemade Horchata

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Blend rice and almonds: Combine rice, almonds, cinnamon and water in a blender until finely ground.
Add sweetness and milk: Mix in the sugar and milk, and blend again until smooth.
Chill the mixture: Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
Strain and serve: Pour through a fine mesh sieve and serve over ice.

Two glasses of Mexican Horchata, an iced rice milk beverage topped with cinnamon and served with metal straws, sit on a wooden board next to a cinnamon stick.

Substitutions and Variations

Use dairy-free milk: Almond milk or oat milk work well as substitutes.
Sweeten with agave: Replace sugar with agave or maple syrup.
Add nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg gives a more spiced flavor.
Try toasted almonds: Toasting adds a deeper nutty taste.

A glass of iced rice milk beverage horchata with cinnamon on top sits next to a cinnamon stick and a white creamer, showcasing this traditional Mexican drink recipe on a table.

Serving Suggestions

With snacks: Pair your horchata with beef taquitos, shrimp ceviche or tilapia nachos.
With something sweet: It’s also good with Mexican marranito cookies or apple pie cupcakes.

A glass pitcher of frothy homemade horchata topped with cinnamon, surrounded by cinnamon sticks on a light surface—a classic traditional Mexican drink recipe.

How to Store Homemade Horchata

Store: Keep the horchata in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator and drink within a week.
Freeze: You can freeze horchata in ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers, for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw the horchata in the refrigerator, then shake well before serving.

A glass of frothy iced rice milk beverage topped with cinnamon, surrounded by cinnamon sticks on a light surface—a refreshing take on the traditional Mexican drink recipe.

Top Tips

Use a strong blender: It helps break down the rice and almonds completely.
Strain well: A fine mesh sieve ensures a smooth drink without grit.
Chill fully: Letting it rest for several hours deepens the flavor.
Serve over ice: This drink is best when cold and refreshing.
Sprinkle with cinnamon: A light dusting on top adds a final touch.

A glass pitcher of frothy Mexican Horchata, an iced rice milk beverage, topped with cinnamon and surrounded by cinnamon sticks on a light surface.

Mexican Horchata Recipe FAQs

Why does horchata need to chill for so long?

A lot of homemade drinks need to chill in the refrigerator but not for 8 hours! The recipe has to chill for much longer than other drinks. The reason is the rice needs time to release flavors into the horchata. Taste it before refrigerating and then after, and you’ll see what I mean.

Can I make horchata without a blender?

If you want to know how to make horchata without a blender, you can but it just won’t be as authentic. You can whisk 8 cups of rice milk (unsweetened) with ½ cup of white sugar, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla until the sugar dissolves. This would be horchata-in-a-hurry. It’s pretty good but of course not as good as making the horchata recipe rice milk drink the traditional Mexican way.

How do I grate cinnamon from sticks?

To grate cinnamon from sticks, use can use a fine grater such as a microplane. Keep in mind that freshly grated cinnamon has a more robust flavor than pre-ground cinnamon.

Two glasses of refreshing homemade horchata, the classic iced rice milk beverage with ice and cinnamon, served with metal straws on a wooden board.

Homemade Mexican Horchata Recipe

A glass of homemade horchata topped with cinnamon, with cinnamon sticks and a pink cloth nearby on a white surface.
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5 from 5 votes

Mexican Horchata

By: Bella Bucchiotti
This creamy Mexican horchata recipe is rich, sweet and full of cinnamon flavor. Made with blended rice and almonds, it’s a refreshing drink that’s perfect served over ice.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 drinks

Equipment

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a high powered blender glass, add the rice, almonds, cinnamon and water. Blend for 5 minutes or until the rice and almonds are pulverized. You may need to stop in between to prevent the blender from overheating.  
  • Add the sugar and milk and blend again for 2 more minutes. 
  • Cover and chill for 8 hours.
  • Strain the horchata through a fine mesh sieve. Serve over ice and sprinkle with extra cinnamon on top. 

Notes

Use a strong blender: It helps break down the rice and almonds completely.
Strain well: A fine mesh sieve ensures a smooth drink without grit.
Chill fully: Letting it rest for several hours deepens the flavor.
Serve over ice: This drink is best when cold and refreshing.
Sprinkle with cinnamon: A light dusting on top adds a final touch.

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 153IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
Bowl of rice, milk, sugar, water, almonds, and cinnamon sticks on a light surface—everything you need to learn how to make horchata or enjoy a refreshing iced rice milk beverage at home.
Overhead view of a blender with raw rice and whole almonds inside, next to cinnamon sticks on a light surface—perfect for preparing homemade horchata, the traditional Mexican drink recipe for iced rice milk beverage.
Water being poured from a glass pitcher into a clear blender jar, ready to show how to make horchata—a traditional Mexican drink recipe—set against a wooden cutting board in the background.
A blender pitcher filled with milk sits beside cinnamon sticks and a wooden board on a countertop, perfect for preparing a traditional Mexican drink recipe like homemade Mexican Horchata.
Sugar being poured into a large clear measuring jug filled with a milky liquid on a light surface, perfectly capturing how to make horchata—an authentic iced rice milk beverage enjoyed in Mexican Horchata recipes.
A glass pitcher of homemade horchata topped with cinnamon, with cinnamon sticks and a wooden board in the background—perfect for learning how to make this refreshing iced rice milk beverage.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want a cool and creamy drink, Mexican horchata is a great choice. The blend of rice, almonds, cinnamon and milk in this traditional Mexican drink recipe creates a smooth and flavorful drink that’s both comforting and refreshing. Serve it ice-cold on a warm day or pour a glass whenever you want something sweet and spiced. Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought versions.

Other Recipes to Try

Two glasses of Mexican Horchata with cinnamon on top, set on a wooden board with cinnamon sticks and almonds—a refreshing traditional Mexican drink recipe.
Top view of homemade horchata, an iced rice milk beverage, served with ice on a wooden board beside a cinnamon stick and almonds.
Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

6 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    Yum!! That was so good. One of my favorite drinks that I’ve made yet. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

    1. Hi, Thanks for the comment. I just updated it to be more clear. Cinnamon that is purchased ground will work for this. I prefer to grate from cinnamon sticks because it has a more intense flavour. To grate cinnamon from sticks, use can use a fine grater such as a microplane. I hope that helps!

      Reply