Last Updated on May 19, 2022 by
Have you ever wondered how to make horchata without rice?
When it comes to Mexican drinks, or as they’re known in Mexico ¨aguas,¨ none has received so much love and world renown as the horchata. This is because it is so well textured and flavored that it almost feels like a snack unto itself. It may sound like a strange drink, and it is, particularly when you experience its relative thickness. This is why many people have refused to give it a try. However, many more have been pleasantly surprised by what they have come to taste.
So what’s in a glass of horchata? Well, the best ingredient is something that you’d never expect in a drink that’s beloved for being so refreshing, rice. This is the ingredient that gives it its white coloring and distinctive taste. To make it sweeter cinnamon is added to it.
A lot of people think of Japanese liqueur sake when they think of a rice-based drink. But horchata has made a lot of advances throughout the world as a delicious drink that does refresh without overdoing it.
The interesting thing is that you don’t necessarily have to use rice to end up with something that your tastebuds can truly enjoy.
Table of Contents
History Of Horchata
If horchata tastes to you like an old-timer drink that’s because it is! It first made an appearance in the 16th century with the Romans. It was a medicinal elixir that was prepared with barley, which is where it got its name. The Latin word for barley is hordeum. As a consequence, ordeata means drink that’s made with barley. As time went on, it would be mixed with a wide assortment of ingredients that would include grains, seeds, and nuts. It’s what we today might think of as a protein shake as it was not only a great source of hydration but all sorts of nutrients as well.
What really took it to the next level was the addition of honey and fresh herbs. These ingredients give it a truly discernible flavor. It wasn’t until it reached Spain where tiger nut, which offers a taste that’s similar to the chestnut, was added to it that it became the refreshing tiger nut horchata drink. After that, it was just a matter of time before sugar would be added to it, along with cinnamon and lemon peel. Thus, it became a huge hit among the Arabs that populated so much of Spain.
Then Spanish people brought it with them to the Americas. Since they didn’t bring tiger nuts with them, they went on to use rice instead, and the rest is history.
Learn more about Are You Aware Of Pan De Muertos History?
Step by Step Instructions For Horchata Without Rice
Ingredients
- A cup of oats
- 7 cups of water
- Sweetener
- 2 spoonfuls of ground cinnamon
- 1 spoonful of vanilla
- 1 cup of milk
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Fine drainer
- Stirring utensil
Step 1: Mix oats with water
In the large bowl place the oats along with the cinnamon. Then add in the water and the milk. Let it sit for two straight hours.
Step 2: Whisk the ingredients
Whisk the contents until it turns into a paste. This is how to make horchata without a blender. It is important to get the most taste out of the ingredients.
Step 3: mass them through the drainer
Now pass it through the drainer. Be sure to push it so that you get the most liquid out of the mixture.
Step 4: Add vanilla
Now you can add some vanilla and the sweetener.
Step 5: Mix ingredients
Use the stirring utensil to mix it around.
Step 6: Refrigerate
Refrigerate for half an hour.
Step 7: Serve
Serve in glasses with ice cubes.
Cooking Time and Servings
Preparation: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Tips and Tricks For This Quick Horchata Recipe
There are many different ways to make horchata, which you’ll notice particularly if you travel around Mexico. If you’d like to try out other horchata recipes without rice, you can search for those that use dried melon, coconut, amaranto, bananas, and almonds.
Each of these ingredients adds nutrients to this drink. For example. the horchata of almonds is rich in vitamin E and phosphorus. The horchata of amaranto contains proteins, minerals, and vitamins that will give you a healthy energy.
If you prefer a drink rich in fiber you can’t go wrong with the horchata of banana. The horchata made of coconut contains high levels of potassium and sodium. This way, you´ll be able to equilibrate your levels of liquids in your body.
Conclusion
When you fall in love with this drink you’ll find yourself making jug fulls for everyone that comes to visit your home.
The interesting thing is that it has changed so much throughout the years. Even within the Americas. There is a lot of variation. For instance, in El Salvador, they use a pumpkin-like seed called a morro. In Ecuador, they rely on an infusion of 18 different herbs and flowers that gives it a majestic rosy color.
There’s a tendency to think that it is a complicated drink to make as it is quite unusual. As you can see this isn’t the case. Of course, you can find all kinds of different recipes, which isn’t hard to believe when you try the horchata at different Mexican restaurants. Seeing a jug of it in the middle of a table is a very welcomed sight when you are very thirsty!
If you’ve never tried it before you’re sure in for a treat- There’s a very good chance that it’ll become one of your favorite summertime drinks. This may be because you appreciate that it has a softer taste that really does compliment any number of meals. A lot of people like it with steak tacos for this reason. However, it is also a wonderful option for when it comes to breakfast as it won’t punch you in the mouth like orange juice tends to do.
Horchata Without Rice
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Fine drainer
- Stirring utensil
Ingredients
- 1 cup of oats
- 7 cups of water
- Sweetener
- 2 spoonfuls of ground cinnamon
- 1 spoonful of vanilla
- 1 cup of milk
Instructions
- In the large bowl place the oats along with the cinnamon. Then add in the water and the milk. Let it sit for two straight hours.
- Whisk the contents until it turns into a paste. This is how to make horchata without a blender. It is important to get the most taste out of the ingredients.
- Now pass it through the drainer. Be sure to push it so that you get the most liquid out of the mixture.
- Now you can add some vanilla and the sweetener.
- Use the stirring utensil to mix it around.
- Refrigerate for half an hour.
- Serve in glasses with ice cubes.
Notes
Tips and Tricks For This Quick Horchata Recipe
There are many different ways to make horchata, which you'll notice particularly if you travel around Mexico. If you'd like to try out other horchata recipes without rice, you can search for those that use dried melon, coconut, amaranto, bananas, and almon
Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.