Have you ever heard of horchata? No, I am not insulting you. Horchata is a delicious, milky beverage which is actually not always made with milk, but often rice or nuts ground into a "milk". It's nearly always spiced with cinnamon, and is often sweetened. It's common in Mexico, and common enough in New Mexico that I have become quite intimately knowledgable of the stuff.
Photo via flickr member sstrieu
Now that you're intrigued...how about making some horchata?
It's so easy and tasty that there's no reason for you to say no. And I'd bet that it's pretty likely you have a lot of the ingredients on hand already!
There's nothing to lose. Make it now. This version does have milk, which I think makes it extra-nice. You don't have to add it if you don't wanna. And oh, if you wanna get really naughty, add some rum!
Easy Horchata
Makes 2 servings
- 1/2 cup long grain white rice, UNCOOKED
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cup whole milk* (see note above)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sugar
- In a blender, combine the rice and water. Mix on high for about 1 minute.
- Add the rest of the ingredients right to the blender, and let it steep for 3 hours at room temperature. This is letting the flavors come together in a very pleasant way.
- Strain the mixture, and pour it into a pitcher. Serve chilled (I prefer to chill it in the fridge rather than serving with ice, as I feel that it dilutes the mix).