• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Plant Based Jess
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • 📧 Subscribe
  • Contact me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About
    • 📧 Subscribe
    • Contact me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Index » Drinks and Smoothies

    Vegan Horchata (Sweet Mexican Rice Milk)

    Published: Aug 3, 2021 · Modified: Jan 13, 2024 by Jessica

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN SHARE

    Learn how to make your own vegan horchata right at home! This simple recipe will give you a sweet rice milk that carries subtle cinnamon and vanilla flavors with a nice rich consistency. Also called "agua de horchata", this recipe is the perfect dairy-free drink to accompany any Mexican meal!

    Front view on 2 small glass that are filled with ice cubes and a homemade vegan horchata drink. There is a cinnamon stick in the glass as well as around the glass on the table. There is a pink hand towel in the background as well as a taller pitcher with more of the horchata and a brown bowl containing energy balls. There are a few tall gold spoon on the table too.

    If you have never had horchata before, then you are in for a treat! 

    The first time I tasted this Mexican rice milk was a while back when we lived in Seattle. There was a small authentic Mexican restaurant that I would stop by sometimes after picking up our son from his nearby daycare. I remember noticing everyone drinking a white cold drink, so I just asked for one.

    It was so good that I would go back mostly for the flavored milk. They had amazing tacos too, but really, that horchata was something.

    Pretty impressive to have a glass of milk get so much of attention. 

    But horchata is not just regular milk, but more like a creamy agua fresca (meaning 'freshwater' in a rich texture). It is a sweet milk that has a subtle cinnamon flavor with a hint of vanilla. Such a delight when you need a drink to tame the heat from a spicy Mexican meal!

    This horchata recipe I share is a dairy-free version of the classic recipe and is also quite easy to make. It takes me about 5 minutes to throw the ingredients in my blender, transfer the whole thing in the fridge overnight (yes, yes, the blender in the fridge!) and then blend + strain in the morning. So, other than the soaking time, it requires minimal hands-on prep time to make a super fun authentic Mexican drink right at home!

    As a side note, check out this mango aqua fresca for a fruity Mexican cold drink!

    Front view on 2 small glass that are filled with ice cubes and a homemade vegan horchata drink. There is a cinnamon stick in the glass as well as around the glass on the table. There is a pink hand towel in the background as well as a taller pitcher with more of the horchata and a brown bowl containing energy balls. There are a few tall gold spoon on the table too.

    What's horchata

    Horchata, also called agua de horchata or horchata de arroz, is a "milky drink" that originates from Spain (made with tiger nuts), but also is very common in Mexico where it is made mostly with white rice. You can find Horchata in other countries as well where the recipe can vary a lot and might be made using sesame seeds, barley, melon seeds and much more.

    A Mexican version of a horchata will be made using rice, but also cinnamon and vanilla. Horchata is also often sweetened with sugar and can sometimes include regular milk or even condensed milk.

    Here in the USA, you will find horchata available at most authentic Mexican restaurants. Creamy horchata is served chilled and typically adds a refreshing touch to a heavy and sometimes spicy meal. It is something you have got to try next time you visit a typical taqueria, or even better, simply make it yourself at your next in-house taco bar!

    It makes for a very refreshing drink that has an unbelievably creamy texture and that's filled with flavors.

    Is authentic horchata vegan?

    More often, it is not made vegan. Most horchata drinks will be made out of rice to follow the traditional recipe, but now, they will also often include some cow's milk or condensed dairy milk to make it creamier. Thus, they are usually not dairy-free.

    Healthier brown rice horchata

    Most horchata will use white rice, white sugar and some will even add condensed milk to make the drink extra sweet. I really don't feel like you need to sweeten this drink that much, so I simply add maple syrup to make it slightly sweet.  

    I also experimented with brown rice and it really worked out well! The milk will still have that very bright white look and it won't taste any different than a white rice horchata. You can also make it using white rice if that's all you have, of course.

    Overhead view on a short glass that contains a homemade vegan horchata. You can see some ice cubes in the glass as well and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon over the milk. Inside the glass, there is a gold tall spoon and a cinnamon sticks too

    How does a vegan horchata taste?

    Have you had rice milk before? It really tastes close to a rice pudding! It has a starchy feeling to it that's super pleasant. I also make my horchata using raw almonds to make it creamier, but the nuts also bring extra sweetness and a delicious nutty flavor. Typical Mexican horchata will include cinnamon and vanilla that complement each other to boost the flavor of the rice.

    Horchata is one of those extra simple recipes that only includes a few straightforward ingredients, but you will notice their flavors intensify when they are combined together.

    Ingredients you will need

    (See below in the recipe card for the measurements)

    A vegan horchata is very similar to a regular horchata. Some recipes will also include regular cow's milk on top of the rice milk to make the consistency thicker, but in this case, the addition of raw almonds makes the milk super creamy so you can skip on any additional milk.

    • Long grain rice: I used brown rice because this is mostly what I use for cooking, but feel free to use white rice as well for a very similar result. Basmati rice is a classic rice for making a Mexican horchata recipe.
    • Raw almonds: add more creaminess and a deeper flavor.
    • Cinnamon sticks: better than powdered cinnamon (better flavor).
    • Vanilla extract: also to add more flavor, but can be omitted if you don't have it.
    • Sweetener: such as maple syrup, agave syrup or nectar or rice syrup. Granulated sugar can work too.
    Ingredients needed to make this recipe. You can see a few bowls containing: brown rice, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, raw almonds and maple syrup.

    How to make this vegan horchata recipe

    (See below in the recipe card for the full recipe)

    This is SO easy to make! BUT, you will need to be a little patient as you will have to let the rice soak for a few hours and the straining process might take a few minutes to fully complete.

    Step 1: Soak (ideally the day before)

    • In a blender, add the water (I simply use the measuring lines from my blender), then add the rice, raw almonds and the cinnamon sticks. Give it a little stir, put the cover on and transfer the blender to the fridge. Let it sit for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best.

    Step 2: Blend

    • Remove the cinnamon sticks and blend the mixture for about 1 minute or until smooth. You are looking for a grainy or sandy consistency at the bottom of your blender when you stop it.

    Step 3: Strain

    • Top a large bowl with a fine mesh strainer and cover it with a straining cloth, such as cheesecloth, nut milk bag or fine hand towel.
    • Pour the blended mixture over and let it strain in the bowl. I like to scrape the fabric-covered colander using a spoon to speed up the process. You might have to work in batches (add more of the blended milk once you get more space in the colander. Also, when the whole blender mixture is poured over the cloth, then use your hands to squeeze all the milk out.
    • Discard the remaining rice mixture left in your cloth.

    Step 4: Adjust & Store 

    • Taste the milk to adjust the sweetness level. Also adjust how cinnamon-y you want it to be (add ground cinnamon if needed). Then, transfer the milk in a glass container for storage.
    In process picture: showing is a blender that's filled with water, brown rice and raw almonds.
    In process picture: close up on thong that are holding 2 cinnamon sticks. You can see a background filled with liquid in the background.
    In process picture: you can see a large bright orange bowl with a fine mesh colander over that's also covered with a white hand towel. There is some homemade plant-based milk over the hand towel as well.
    In process picture: there is a cloth that's straining some milk using a cloth. You can see the milk falling into a large orange bowl.

    What kind of cinnamon to use to make a Mexican horchata

    Cinnamon sticks are better then ground cinnamon as it gives such an amazing cinnamon-y natural flavor to the milk by infusing it better. Choose either Cassia or Ceylon sticks. The Ceylon kind of stick breaks easier, but it won't be a problem as you will filter the milk before serving anyway. I used the cinnamon sticks from Frontier Coop.

    If you don't have any sticks, then simply use a ground cinnamon. Start with about 1 teaspoon and add more as you taste. You are looking for a subtle cinnamon flavor as opposed to an overpowering cinnamon-y taste. 

    Tips when making a vegan horchata

    • The longer you soak the rice, the milkier the result will be. Try to give enough time for the rice to soak (aim for overnight) to allow it to blend more easily.
    • I like to use my blender as the container to soak the rice, but you can also simply use a large bowl, then transfer to your blender too.
    • The straining process can be a little messy, but I find it easier and neater to use a larger bowl to catch most spills.
    • I tried making it using a regular nut milk bag that I use when making my own strawberry almond milk and although the result was great, I found the texture to be grittier. So, for a smoother texture, you can use a fine hand towel (like shown in the video) or even an old t-shirt! If you still want to use a nut milk bag, then check on your final result and don't hesitate to filter one more time if needed. You could also strain it twice!
    • If you want to skip on the added liquid sweetener, then you can blend a few medjool dates!
    Front view on 2 small glass that are filled with ice cubes and a homemade vegan horchata drink. There is a cinnamon stick in the glass as well as around the glass on the table. There is a pink hand towel in the background as well. There are a few tall gold spoon on the table too.

    Pairing and serving suggestions

    This sweet homemade rice milk is at its best when served really cold. So, make sure to chill it before serving and pour the cold horchata over a tall glass that was first filled with ice cubes so it is nicely refreshing. 

    Homemade horchata is amazing when paired with Mexican food! Try serving it with enchiladas, lentil taco, spicy salsa, tostadas, taquitos, fish tacos, or alongside this chipotle black bean bowl. We also love it when making nachos or a simple Mexican bean soup. Don't forget to make some on Cinco de Mayo too!

    We had more horchata than you can imagine while testing it, so I became more creative and used it in cereals, smoothies, overnight oats and cooked oatmeal using it. I even made a cold matcha chai latte with this delicious horchata (omg, it was so good!).

    It does make for an amazing refreshing summer drink, but also great during the holiday season, such as Christmas for a fun non-alcoholic drink that everyone can enjoy, kids and pregnant women.

    To make your glass look beautiful, sprinkle some ground cinnamon over or why not add a whole stick of cinnamon to help with stirring?

    Storage tips

    Keep the milk in an airtight container or a glass container (less reactive than plastic) in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. 

    Depending on how well the milk was strained, some precipitate might accumulate at the bottom, so be sure to shake/stir very well before serving.

    If you end up not drinking it all by the end of the week (unlikely though :)), then freeze in an ice cube tray and add to your smoothies straight from the freezer.

    Close up on a short glass that's filled with ice cubes and a homemade brown rice vegan horchata. There is a tall gold spoon in the glass as well as a cinnamon stick. There are more cinnamon sticks on the table as well as a small bowl with ground cinnamon to sprinkle over the glasses.

    FAQ's

    Can I make a horchata without a blender? 

    Yes, you can! In that case, you can simply flavor store-bought rice milk with a little sweetener, vanilla extract and some cinnamon to taste.

    How to make a creamier horchata? 

    Make sure to soak the rice overnight (as opposed to only a few hours) to ensure easier blending of the rice and turn your milk thicker. Also, you could add some coconut milk to it, which is usually super creamy and rich (especially if you don't mind a little coconut flavor).

    Do I need to use a high-speed blender to make it? 

    Ideally, yes. The rice remains rough and sturdy, even after soaking all night, which will be crushed better if using a high-speed blender. If you have a regular blender, then try blending it longer.

    Other homemade plant-based milk you might like

    • Strawberry almond milk
    • Cashew chocolate milk
    • Blueberry lavender almond milk
    • Hemp chocolate milk
    • Strawberry bubble tea

    I hope you enjoy this vegan horchata as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

    Let's stay in touch with Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be sure not to miss anything.

    📖 Recipe

    Close up on a short glass that's filled with ice cubes and a homemade brown rice vegan horchata. There is a tall gold spoon in the glass as well as a cinnamon stick. There are more cinnamon sticks on the table as well as a small bowl with ground cinnamon to sprinkle over the glasses.

    Vegan Horchata (Sweet Mexican Rice Milk)

    5 from 1 vote
    Learn how to make your own vegan horchata right at home! This simple recipe will give you a sweet rice milk that carries subtle cinnamon and vanilla flavor with a nice rich consistency. Perfect to accompany any Mexican meal!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time0 minutes mins
    Soaking time8 hours hrs
    Total Time8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Servings 6
    Author Jessica Laroche

    Equipment

    • Blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup long grain brown rice - or white rice
    • ¾ cup raw almonds
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 6 cups water
    • ⅓ to ½ cup maple syrup - start with less if you don't want it too sweet
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Soak the brown rice, almonds and the cinnamon sticks in the 6 cups of water for at least 4 hours (I do it overnight, using the blender as the soaking container).
    • Then, remove and discard the cinnamon sticks and blend on high speed until there are no large pieces anymore and it looks mostly sandy at the bottom of the blender after you stop it.
    • Place a fine mesh colander over a large bowl and cover the colander with a fine hand towel. Then, pour the blended mixture over and let the milk strain into the bowl. You can use a spoon to scrape on the cloth and help the milk strain and also squeeze the milk out using your hands. Discard the solids.
    • Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract and stir. Taste and adjust how sweet you want the milk. Best when enjoyed chilled and shake well before serving.

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    • You can also use a nut milk bag to strain the milk, although I preferred the result using a fine hand towel as the consistency was less gritty. If you still want to use a nut milk bag, then don't hesitate to strain more than once to reach a smoother texture.
    • Keep the milk in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Can also be frozen in an ice cube tray to add to smoothies.
    • If you don't want to use any added liquid sweetener, then blend a few medjool dates with the rice and almonds.
    • Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 246mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 1mg
    CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES!
    SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE BY EMAIL

    Pin it for later!

    More Healthy Plant-Based Drinks

    • Tall glass of cucumber spinach smoothie with a straw.
      Cucumber Spinach Smoothie
    • Glass of strawberry oat milk with ice cubes and sliced fresh strawberries.
      Homemade Strawberry Oat Milk
    • A mug of dairy-free high-protein hot chocolate garnished with mini marshmallow.
      High-Protein Hot Chocolate
    • A short glass filled with a no banana peanut butter smoothie and a red and white straw.
      Peanut Butter Smoothie (without Banana)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      August 05, 2024 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      Great taste and is quite easy to make.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 06, 2024 at 6:18 am

        So happy to hear this! Thanks for your comment! 😊

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    ABOUT JESS


    Profile picture for Plant Based Jess in the kitchen.

    Hi there! I’m Jessica, a pasta obsessed French Canadian now living in beautiful Maine. I’m a mom of two, experienced foodie and ninja meal planner. I believe everyone can make stress-free plant-based meals with wholesome ingredients that your family and friends will love. 

    Join me in my kitchen to discover fun and creative recipes or click to find out more. Welcome!

    CONNECT WITH ME


    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    🌱 SPRING RECIPES


    • There is a white bowl that contains a creamy barley breakfast bowl that's topped with a strawberry and rhubarb quick compote. There is also a wooden spoon on the side of the bowl and fresh strawberries. Also beside the bowl, there is another breakfast bowl as well as a few small bowl containing more of the compote and fresh strawberries. The bowls are on a large pink hand towel and there is a cup of tea on the side.
      Barley breakfast bowl with a strawberry-rhubarb compote
    • Vegan Watermelon Salad with Mint and Cucumber
    • There is a portion of a vegan garlic pasta bake on a plate with a baking dish containing more of the pasta on the side. There are 2 forks, 2 glass and a pitcher of water on the side as well as a small plate with ground black pepper.
      Vegan Garlic Pasta Bake
    • There is a slice of a vegan spinach quiche that's being hold and close to the camera. You can see in the background the whole vegan spinach pie as well as a white and blue hand towel.
      Vegan Spinach Quiche (Gluten-Free)
    • Green pea pasta sauce with short noodles and a side of lemon wedge and more fresh basil.
      Creamy Green Pea Pasta Sauce (20-min Vegan Recipe)
    • View on a tall glass of mango cherry smoothie topped with flaxseed.
      Mango Cherry Smoothie

    POPULAR RECIPES


    • Overhead view on a dark plate filled with 3-ingredient almond flour peanut butter cookies with a glass of milk on the side.
      3-Ingredient Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
    • View on a glass of passion fruit mocktail with fresh passion fruits on the side.
      Passion Fruit Mocktail
    • Showing is a homemade easy buckwheat bread that's about half sliced. There are a few slices around the bread that are topped with peanut butter, yogurt and fruits.
      Easy Buckwheat Bread (No yeast, No kneading!)
    • There is a large spoon taking some oven-roasted potatoes and broccoli from a sheet pan.
      Oven-Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
    • Front angle view on a kale tonic with lemon juice.
      Kale Tonic (First Watch Copy Cat Recipe)
    • Front angle view on a small jar of flaxseed pudding layered with strawberry jam and fresh blueberries.
      Flaxseed Pudding

    Footer

    Copyright © 2021 Plant Based Jess

    Privacy Policy