Horchata

Mexican sweet drink

• Ready In: 24 hrs
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 6 cups

Ingredients

• 1  cup long grain white rice
• 2  cups  skinless  almonds
• 1  inch cinnamon bark
• 8  cups water
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Wash and drain the rice.
2. Using a spice grinder (an electric coffee grinder works well too), grind the rice until fine; combine with the almonds and cinnamon bark.
3. Add 3 1/2 cups water and let sit overnight, covered.
4. Blend rice mixture until smooth using a blender.
5. Add 2 1/2 cups of water and continue blending.
6. Add sugar and vanilla extract.
7. Strain horchata into a bowl first using a metal strainer and then a double layer of cheesecloth; finish with up to an additional 2 cups of water until it achieves a milky consistency.
8. Serve cold or over ice.