Description
A refreshing and creamy Almond Horchata made from soaked raw almonds, cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of sugar. This dairy-free traditional Mexican-inspired beverage is perfect served chilled over ice, offering a naturally nutty and mildly spiced flavor that’s both delicious and easy to make at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Almond Horchata Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds (soaked overnight)
- 4 cups cold filtered water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Ground cinnamon (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Soak Almonds and Cinnamon: Soak raw almonds and the cinnamon stick in 2 cups of water overnight or for at least 6 hours to soften the almonds and infuse the cinnamon flavor.
- Prepare for Blending: Discard the cinnamon stick and transfer the soaked almonds along with the soaking water into a high-speed blender for processing.
- Blend with Water: Add the remaining 2 cups of cold filtered water to the blender and blend on high speed until the mixture becomes fully smooth and milky in texture.
- Strain the Mixture: Pour the blended almond mixture through a nut milk bag or a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove almond pulp and ensure a smooth beverage.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the strained liquid until the sugar is fully dissolved, enhancing the drink’s sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Chill the Horchata: Refrigerate the almond horchata for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and to serve it ice-cold.
- Serve: Pour over ice cubes in glasses and optionally sprinkle with ground cinnamon for garnish and extra aroma.
Notes
- For a smoother horchata, use a nut milk bag rather than a sieve when straining.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of sugar or substituting with honey or agave syrup if preferred.
- Soaking almonds overnight softens them and helps extract more flavor and creaminess.
- Almond horchata can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a vegan version, this recipe is naturally dairy-free.
- You can add a splash of milk or almond milk after straining for extra creaminess if desired.
