The Jain Ahimsa Initiative

Vegan Horchata

Horchata is an easy-to-make, authentic Mexican drink. It’s a perfect complement to all your favorite Mexican meals and one of the most refreshing drinks for hot summer days.

Recipe by Neha Ranglani

Vegan Horchata
Prep
15 min
Soaking
6 hrs
Cuisine
Mexican
Contains
nuts, soy

Ingredients

  • ½ cup uncooked white rice
  • ½ cup almonds, chopped
  • ¼–½ cup sweetener of choice (sugar, agave, dates, etc), or as needed
  • ½ cup any unsweetened plant milk, optional (soy, coconut, cashew, almond, rice, oat, etc)
  • 1 whole Ceylon/Canela cinnamon stick (or 2 whole of other varieties)
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups water, boiling
  • 1½ cups cold water
  • 1 pinch of salt

Method

  1. Soak uncooked white rice, almonds, salt, and cinnamon stick(s) in just-boiled water for at least 6 hours, slightly uncovered.
  2. Drain the mixture and add the soaked mixture to a blender along with your sweetener, cold water, and vanilla.
  3. Blend until the mixture is almost pulverized and only slightly grainy, if at all.
  4. Strain the contents of the blender through a cheesecloth or nut milk bag into a large serving bowl.
  5. Only the pulp should remain in the cloth. Set pulp aside.
  6. Stir in optional plant milk and ground cinnamon into the strained liquid. Add sweetener and cinnamon as necessary.

Notes

When using pre-made commercial brands of plant milk, take note of the sweetness already included so that you can adjust additional sweetener in the recipe to taste.

More dairy alternatives

Almond Milk

Dairy Alternatives

Almond Milk

While switching to a plant-based diet, the first alternative we often look for is a substitute for dairy or cow’s milk. Many of us are used to drinking milk daily, either on its own, as a milkshake, in tea or coffee, in desserts, or in various other dishes. The thought of “life without milk” can be overwhelming. However, today we know that we are loaded with options when it comes to plant-based milks. Let’s try homemade almond milk.

Priyanka N Jain 10 min active Plan ahead