Any time the weather gets warmer, I love to break out all of the refreshing drink recipes! Some of my favorites are Brazilian lemonade, a mango lassi, or a mint julep!
What is Strawberry Horchata?
Horchata is a popular Mexican drink known as a sweetened rice milk and this strawberry horchata version is even better! It starts with a blended combination of rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon sticks then mixes with a sweet strawberry puree. Then comes the addition of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. It adds the perfect sweetness and creaminess to the drink! I love balancing out the creamy cinnamon sweetness by adding a fresh strawberry puree makes this horchata irresistible. It’s super creamy, refreshing, and filled with sweet strawberry flavor. The fresh strawberry flavor adds the perfect touch. In fact, strawberries are the perfect touch in a lot of my favorite recipes. Try this tasty salad, this easy cake, or the best strawberry banana bread!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This homemade strawberry horchata uses simple ingredients that you get at the grocery store. It is a true authentic Mexican treat and a perfect refreshing drink for a warm day.
Cinnamon Sticks: Find these at your local grocery store in the spice section. Vanilla: This is the best flavor combination with vanilla. Rice: Long-grained white rice is best. Hot Water: It is best to use hot water. After soaking in the rice it becomes a creamy milk rice. Sugar: Add in more sugar to sweeten or less if it is too sweet. Strawberries: The star of this drink! Use fresh strawberries and save some to garnish when serving. Lemon Juice: The acidity balances out the sweetness and brightens the flavors in the strawberry puree. Sweetened Condensed Milk: The creamy sweetness this adds to the strawberry horchata is a must! Evaporated Milk: Adds richness and creaminess to the horchata. Ice: Horchata is served with ice so that it is nice and cold!
How to Make Strawberry Horchata
Homemade strawberry horchata is time-consuming but only because of the time it needs to soak. The rest of the recipe is very easy and I walk you through all the steps! Plan ahead of time to make this refreshing beverage. It’s worth it!
Use Frozen Strawberries: You can use frozen strawberries to make your puree! Thaw them completely before blending them with the remaining ingredients. This will allow you to make delicious strawberry horchata when strawberries are out of season. Dairy-Free Option: You can make this a completely dairy-free recipe by using dairy-free sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Rinse the Rice: Sometimes horchata can be a little too chalky for some people. To lessen the chalkiness, rinse the rice under cold water until the water is clear before using it in the recipe.
In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make in Advance: The strawberry puree may be made a day in advance and kept chilled in the refrigerator for 1 week. You can also freeze the puree in the freezer for up to 3 months. Move it to the refrigerator to thaw before using. In the Freezer: Store in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 1 month. Move it to the refrigerator to thaw. It can take up to 24 hours to completely thaw.
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