Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (2024)

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Authentic vegan horchata recipe with almond milk! This refreshing almond milk horchata version is healthier than its original, dairy-free, and lactose-free.

Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (1)

Mexican Horchata, also known as Agua de Horchata, is one of the most popular Mexican drinks ever!

A delicious creamy, rich, and very sweet drink with delicate cinnamon flavors made with white rice, cinnamon, and milk. It is served on every corner in Mexico, but only the one freshly made and with high-quality ingredients tastes the best. There is nothing better than a homemade horchata served with spicy Mexican food!

The traditional horchata recipe is made with evaporated milk, making it super creamy and rich in its taste through the high amount of fat and sugar in the evaporated milk. Granted, this drink in its original state is also high in sugar.

Anyhow, if you happened to be in Mexico once, you MUST try it!

Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (2)

Agua Frescas – Authentic Mexican Drinks

Everybody who has ever visited Mexico knows that Agua Frescas are one of the most authentic Mexican recipes. You can find them at every corner, and they are always made and served the same way with a lot of sugar over ice.

The most popular ones are:

  • Agua de Jamaica – Hibiscus Water → made with dried hibiscus flowers
  • Agua de Horchata – Rice Water → made with rice and cinnamon
  • Agua de Sandia – Watermelon Water →made with fresh watermelon
  • Agua de Tamarindo – Tamarind Water → made with fresh or dried tamarind pods
  • Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (3)
  • Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (4)

Healthier Vegan Version

My horchata recipe is a slightly healthier and vegan version of the original. It’s made with almond milk instead of sweetened condensed milk. Therefore, it’s 100% vegan, dairy-free, and so, also suitable if you are lactose intolerant.

Furthermore, I have generously reduced the amount of sugar. Authentic horchata contains a lot of sugar and is way too sweet. In my opinion, it doesn’t need that much sugar. It tastes just as delicious with less of it.

I love to sweeten it with maple syrup. Feel free to use white sugar, and please do adjust the sweetness according to your taste. For a more authentic feeling, add more sugar.

Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (5)

How To Make This Vegan Horchata Recipe

Read through this visual step-by-step guide with lots of extra tips!The exact quantities and everything else you need to know for the recipe can be found in the recipe card below.

  • Add rice, water, and cinnamon stick in a large bowl and let it soak overnight at room temperature. → It’s much easier to blend soaked rice!
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  • Pour the whole mixture along with maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and clove powder into a blender. Blend 2-3 times at high speed until completely smooth.
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  • Strain into a pitcher (or large bowl).
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  • Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (9)
  • Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (10)
  • Stir in almond milk. → Please only add the almond milk once blended. Almond milk is extremely foamy milk, and it would leave you with excessive foam if you blend it along with the other ingredients.
  • Chill and serve over ice. I love to sprinkle it with ground cinnamon before serving!
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Tips

Strain:I recommend straining the horchata through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth if you have one at home. Alternatively, and the quicker method is to strain it through a fine-mesh sieve. The “pulp” will settle at the bottom of the bottle when stored in the fridge. Feel free to stir it before serving or gently pour it into glasses so that the pulp stays where it is.

Sweetness:As already mentioned, this version is less sweet than the authentic recipe. Feel free to add more sugar! Replace maple syrup with sugar of choice.

More Mexican Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Vegan Tacos
  • Guacamole
  • Cafe de Olla

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📖 Recipe

Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (12)

Vegan Horchata

Authentic vegan horchata recipe with almond milk! This refreshing almond milk horchata version is healthier than its original, dairy-free, and lactose-free.

Author : Aline Cueni

4.86 from 7 votes

Click on the stars to leave a vote!

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Prep Time :10 minutes mins

Soaking Time :8 hours hrs

Total Time :8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings : 4

Calories : 111kcal

Ingredients

  • cup (65 g) basmati rice or white long-grain rice of choice
  • 4 cups (960 ml) water
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup or sugar/sweetener of choice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 pinch clove powder
  • 1 cup (240 ml) almond milk

Instructions

  • Add rice, water, and cinnamon stick in a large bowl and let it soak overnight at room temperature.

  • Pour the whole mixture along with maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and clove powder into a blender. Blend 2-3 times at high speed until completely smooth.

  • Strain into a pitcher (or large bowl) and stir in almond milk.

  • Chill and serve over ice.

Notes

  • This horchata will keep in the fridge for several days.
  • Optional: Sprinkle with cinnamon powder before serving.
  • Don’t add the almond milk to the blender, as this milk foams extremely well!
  • Adjust the sweetness to your taste. → Traditional Mexican horchata is much sweeter than this healthier recipe version.
  • Strain: I recommend straining the horchata through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth.

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Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 1mg

Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (15)

Aline Cueni

I’m a girl who loves to cook and bake delicious homemade food. Let me help you to incorporate more plant-based foods into everyday life! Vegetarian & vegan recipes can be anything but boring.

Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (2024)

FAQs

Is horchata made from almond milk? ›

The Mexican version of horchata is typically made creamy using dairy products such as condensed milk, evaporated milk, or whole milk, but it's not uncommon for traditional versions to be made plant-based with almond milk in place of cow's milk.

What is vegan horchata made of? ›

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup jasmine white rice.
  • 6 cups water.
  • 1 cup raw cashews (you can use roasted just make sure they're unsalted)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks.
  • 2/3 cup 100% pure maple syrup (add an extra 1/4 cup or more if you want it sweeter)

What kind of milk is horchata made from? ›

Horchata is a sweet rice drink that is very popular not only in Mexico but also in the US! Most people know of the dairy version with evaporated and condensed milk, but horchata can also be made dairy-free. Mexican horchata is typically made with rice, water, cinnamon, milk, and sugar.

What is the difference between horchata and dirty horchata? ›

Dirty horchata is a shot of cold brew added to creamy, sweet horchata. ☕ Horchata is a traditional refreshing Mexican drink made from rice, milk and almonds.

What makes horchata chalky? ›

The rice adds a starchy or chalky quality, and perhaps to compensate, most taquerias use a very heavy hand with the sugar. But the rice flavor is also part of horchata's charm, and this version inspired by GCM vendors reduces the sweetness—a bit.

What are the two types of horchata? ›

Truth is there are two major kinds of horchata (Spanish and Mexican) and they're as similar as they are different. As in both are cold, milky, sweet beverages but they're made with different ingredients.

How is horchata originally made? ›

The original horchata from Valencia, Spain is made from chufa, or tiger nuts, water, sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Tiger nuts didn't grow in the Americas when the Spanish arrived, so the Spanish used different nuts, seeds and grains to recreate horchata in their colonies.

What is the best rice for horchata? ›

Long-Grain Jasmine Rice Makes A Great Horchata Base

Basmati and jasmine rice are both types of long-grain white rice, but jasmine rice is a slightly better fit due to its plump, pliant texture and slightly sweet taste.

How long is homemade horchata good for? ›

To limit bacteria growth, it should be refrigerated after 2 hours and the drink consumed within 5 days. This version has been updated. The rice needs to be soaked for at least 2 hours at room temperature, and up to overnight in the refrigerator. The horchata can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.

What does horchata mean in English? ›

Meaning of horchata in English

a drink made from nuts or rice, that looks like milk and is drunk in Spain and Latin American countries, or a glass of this drink: Valencia is also known for its horchata. We stopped for a horchata at the elegant El Espejo cafe.

Does horchata have a lot of sugar? ›

*This recipe contains 130 calories and 13 grams of sugar per serving, compared to the full-sugar version that has 150 calories and 21 grams of sugar per serving.

Is horchata healthy? ›

Horchata Benefits

However, one of the most significant benefits is that horchata is a healthy drink that actually tastes good. Horchata is made with natural ingredients that don't contain the chemical additives that often cause upset stomachs, including rice, almonds, sugar, vanilla, and spices such as cinnamon.

Is horchata African or Mexican? ›

The drink originated in North Africa, and it is estimated that during the 11th century, it began to spread throughout Hispania (now Spain and Portugal). There are 13th-century records of a horchata-like beverage made near Valencia, where it remains a common drink.

What's the difference between Spanish horchata and Mexican horchata? ›

Mexican horchata is made with rice while Spanish horchata is made with tiger nuts. Both soak the base ingredient in water to hydrate them and make them softer. Then you blend the softened rice/tiger nuts with water and strain the mixture.

What drink is similar to horchata? ›

Refreshing Oatmeal Drink (Agua de Avena)

"This is a refreshing drink from Mexico that is very similar to horchata but healthier and easier to make! Serve cold," says recipe creator Becky Perez.

What was horchata originally made from? ›

The original horchata from Valencia, Spain is made from chufa, or tiger nuts, water, sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Tiger nuts didn't grow in the Americas when the Spanish arrived, so the Spanish used different nuts, seeds and grains to recreate horchata in their colonies.

Is almond milk the same as rice milk? ›

Facts About Almond Milk

It is lower in carbohydrate than rice milk at about 8 grams in the unsweetened variety. Almonds themselves contain protein in the whole form, but almond milk is not a good source of protein or calcium though it does naturally contain vitamin E.

Does Spanish horchata have dairy? ›

Horchata (/ɔːrˈtʃɑːtə/; Spanish: [oɾˈtʃata]), or orxata ( Valencian: [oɾˈtʃata]), is a name given to various beverages, which are generally plant based, but sometimes contain animal milk. In Spain, it is made with soaked, ground, and sweetened tiger nuts.

What nut is horchata made from? ›

Mexican horchata is made with rice while Spanish horchata is made with tiger nuts. Both soak the base ingredient in water to hydrate them and make them softer. Then you blend the softened rice/tiger nuts with water and strain the mixture. For both, you typically lightly sweeten them and often add a little cinnamon.

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