Brown Rice Horchata
Welcome to the world of Brown Rice Horchata! This delicious, creamy drink is a twist on the traditional Mexican horchata made with white rice. We're adding a nutty flavor with brown rice, making it not only tasty but a little healthier too! Perfect for cooling down on a hot day or enjoying with your favorite Mexican dishes. So, let’s get started on making this creamy delight!
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice
- 4 cups water plus more for soaking
- 1 cup almond milk or any plant-based milk, feel free to use cow's milk if you prefer
- 1/2 cup sugar you can adjust this to taste or use honey, agave, or a sugar substitute
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon plus more for garnish
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Soak the Rice: First off, take your brown rice and rinse it under cool water. This removes any dust or debris. Once nice and clean, throw the rice into a bowl and cover it with about 3 cups of water. Let it soak for a good 4 hours or, if you have the time, overnight. Trust me, this makes all the difference!
- Cook the Rice: After soaking, drain the rice and give it another quick rinse. Then, add the rice to a pot with 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil. Once it's boiling, lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 30 minutes until the rice is tender. Check occasionally, and make sure there's still some water in there to avoid burning!
- Blend Everything Up: When the rice is done cooking, let it cool a bit, and then transfer it to a blender. Pour in your almond milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Blend until super smooth and creamy. If you prefer a lighter texture, feel free to strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Just be gentle – you don’t want to lose all that flavor!
- Chill Out: Once blended, taste your horchata! This is your chance to adjust the sweetness or cinnamon. Pour it into a pitcher and chill in the fridge for at least an hour. When you’re ready to serve, give it a good stir!
- Serve it Up: Pour the Brown Rice Horchata into glasses with ice, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top, and enjoy! You can also garnish with some cinnamon sticks if you’re feeling fancy!