Dirty Horchata Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Guisados

Adapted by Kiera Wright-Ruiz

Dirty Horchata Recipe (1)

Total Time
15 minutes, plus overnight soaking
Rating
4(931)
Notes
Read community notes

Horchata, a sweet cinnamon drink popular throughout Latin America, is typically made by soaking white rice in water, straining through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate solids, if desired, then sweetening the liquid with sugar and cinnamon. But the horchata at Guisados, a chain of taco restaurants in Los Angeles, is different. It's made with whole milk and is served plain, or “dirty” with a shot of cold brew concentrate — and the chain sells up to 700 a day. This is an adaptation of its caffeinated version, and it serves a crowd. (You can leave out the coffee or halve the recipe, if you like.) Enjoy it with something spicy on a hot summer’s day. —Kiera Wright-Ruiz

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Ingredients

Yield:8 servings

  • 2cups uncooked long-grain white rice
  • 1(14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • 1tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ½gallon whole milk
  • 2cups cold brew concentrate or espresso, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

496 calories; 13 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 80 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 39 grams sugars; 15 grams protein; 177 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Dirty Horchata Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Add the rice and 2½ cups water to a large container and cover. Soak at room temperature for a minimum of 8 hours.

  2. Step

    2

    Pour the rice and soaking liquid into a blender, and blend until all the rice is finely ground, 2 to 3 minutes. (If necessary, stop your blender periodically to prevent overheating.) Add condensed milk, nutmeg and cinnamon; blend until combined. Pour the mixture into a large pitcher or bowl. Add the whole milk and whisk until incorporated.

  3. Step

    3

    To serve, divide horchata among ice-filled glasses and top with cold brew concentrate, to taste (about 2 to 3 tablespoons cold brew for each cup of horchata).

Tip

  • The horchata is best consumed the day it's made, but will keep up to 2 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Stir vigorously before serving.

Ratings

4

out of 5

931

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Janice

Delicious! I made it exactly as written except I used spaghetti instead of rice, maple syrup instead of condensed milk, turmeric and cumin instead of nutmeg and cinnamon, and goat's milk instead of cow's milk. Also used sacrificial blood instead of cold brew. Also spiked it with the screams of my enemies. Also drank from a cursed chalice over ice.

Corrin

Tried this recipe and it was delicious! The sacrificial blood was hard to get though, my mother wouldn't lay still. Next time I will try the dog..maybe less salty. Any suggestions?

deb

let me just say this. yum. made it exactly as written but used one quart of almond milk instead of the half gallon whole milk. spiked it with kahlua and also drank plain over ice.

Jo

Try rice flour instead of the 8+ hour soak. I’ve tried it and it worked wonderfully.

Kiera Wright-Ruiz

I spoke to Guisados about the recipe and tested it myself. The rice flour you can buy in most stores isn't strong enough to get the right flavor. After testing a few batches to make this recipe, I'd recommend sticking with what's written above to get the best horchata flavor. Enjoy!

Jen

Has anyone tried freezing this? I'm thinking of freezing in cubes before adding the cold brew. Then when I want some, pouring hot espresso over the horchata cubes or blending in a blender to make a tasty smoothie.

risabee

This gave me such a chuckle. Cheers to you (and your cursed chalice)!

Carmen

I had it in Puerto Rico with sesame seeds instead of rice, less sugar, and coconut milk. Delicious!

Luka

LA local here. Guisados does use rice flour in their horchata - a lot quicker to make. I don't know their ratio, but I would start with 1 part rice flour for every 6 parts milk, then add more as needed. You can also use simple syrup to sweeten.Vanilla would also be really welcome here.

alcohol?

Anyone try adding a little booze to the concoction? Considering adding a bit of rum or bourbon for an upcoming party, and wondering what alcohol folks think would go best here.

Sonia Csaszar

Do not confuse Mexican Horchata with Spanish horchata. The latter, related to the French Orgeat is made with almonds.

KC

The commercial horchata we can buy in France is made in Spain using tigernut, which is a tuber, not a nut. It’s delicious and has a lower glycemic load than rice.

Jillian

Is the rice cooked before soaking? The recipe doesn't say.

Gordon Ross

Everyone seems to have "tried it exactly as written except, except, except...anyone REALLY try it EXACTLY as written?

NoOne

If you prefer, substitute milk with your favorite brand. You may also use more water and rice concentrate to make a milkier rice water, sans milk. Instead of a whole can of condensed milk, you can use only half for less sweeter horchata. Many people use evaporated milk in addition to rice water and whole milk/milk substitute. Instead of condensed milk as a sweetener many use regular sugar or even alternative sweeteners. Experiment to find your favorite horchata. Nutmeg as all is optional.

Erin

Halving the recipe still made plenty of servings. Subbed pumpkin pie spice since I didn't have nutmeg. Would strain next time. Espresso instead of cold brew!

Mimi

Rice soaked for 24 hours. I tried it before straining the blended liquid and it was a little gritty for me, so it was strained to remove the rice solids. I made half the batch and it turned out great. The rice I used was nothing special, but it was a long grain variety. The cold brew was homemade also. This has quite the caffeine and sugar kick..yum.

michelem

We LOVE this recipe. However, we made an easy version with store-bought rice milk and store-bought cold brew coffee and now we whip it up every time we have a brunch at home!

Julia

Really enjoyed this! The nutmeg was strong but not overpowering, one thing I didn't see many people mention was the rice solids... for me they just gathered near the bottom of the bowl once I was done mixing so I just discarded them, not sure if that was intended, but the recipe still tasted great.

Erica

Liked this recipe - we’ll see after leaving it a bit in the fridge how it holds up but easy enough. They definitely left out the straining of rice after blending, otherwise you get a very gritty drink.

susan

I really did try this exactly as written. I think next time I might add a little more cold brew concentrate and I might give that Kahlua idea a shot as well.

Asra

Great suggestions. But how would you make this vegan?

Laura

So happy to see this recipe! Guisado’s is often our reward for the end of our six mile Sunday walk and this drink is why.

Casey

This was good! A tiny bit chalky but I think that's just the nature of the drink? I froze half of the "concentrate" before adding the milk since it makes so much. Also used oat milk as opposed to cows milk. Soaked the rice for 24 hours because I forgot to make it the first day.

Sharon

I made this today and these are my thoughts. I felt it was a bit grainy so I strained it and got rid of the hard bits. I guess I didn't grind the rice down far enough. It made 11 cups though so I'm freezing most of it. I'm not sure what I'll do with it as I make cold brew. After straining, I thought it was delicious! It was very comforting and felt like a trip to the coffee shop!

Jenny

What about freezing any remaining (I'm alone here)? Worth a try? (Add the coffee after thawing.)

Chris

Interested in rice flour version. Jo, how much did you use?

Kit Murphy

Sacrificial blood was difficult to get; they had a run on it at the farmer's market. Have lots of enemies though so screams were plentiful! My favorite drinking vessel is a single rocks glass so used that and BIG ice cube. Hmmm, delicious.Also used brown rice for the soak. Husband is a diabetic and he is not allowed near white rice; don't even keep it in the pantry.Served as a beverage option at brunch-HUGE hit!

NameElissa

I just poured some raw rice into a glass. Didn’t have cinnamon so I flavored with ant powder.It turned out delicious and everyone had a grin on their face:)Lizzie B.

Juan Andres Mestre

This recipe maybe popular in Latin America, but Horchata or Orxata is a traditional drink originated in the Valencia region in Spain. No rice at all in the original recipe that is regulated by an organization (like paella, for example). It's made using "chufas" soaked in water for hours and blended after several hours.Find a link to the original and regulated recipe (in Spanish)http://www.chufadevalencia.org/ver/18/Elaboraci%C3%B3n.html

Juliet Jones

Of course Juan Andres Mestre is correct, and I would just like to add that "chufas" (in Spanish) are known as Tiger Nuts in English. (During my childhood in England years ago, they were sold as snacks.) The plant is Cyperus esculentus, a type of sedge, related to (but not the same as) the Nutsedge which is a pesky weed here in TN.

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Dirty Horchata Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Dirty Horchata made of? ›

Stopping in for a quick Saturday co*cktail to share this (extra) Dirty Horchata. Homemade Horchata, a sweet cinnamon drink popular throughout Latin America, is topped off with coffee and a splash of dark rum (or Kahlúa). It's a touch of creaminess, hinted with cinnamon and coffee, and perfectly sweet.

What are the ingredients in horchata? ›

Horchata (pronounced or-CHAH-tah) is a popular Mexican drink that is often described as a sweet rice milk beverage. Horchata is made out of rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon and is served in many Mexican restaurants.

Why did my horchata come out chalky? ›

Note: Be careful not to over blend the rice. Also, it is important that you use a very fine sieve otherwise your horchata may come out chalky! Always remember to mix before serving, as rice tends to settle at the bottom when sitting.

What rice is best for horchata? ›

Long-Grain Jasmine Rice Makes A Great Horchata Base

Basmati and jasmine rice are both types of long-grain white rice, but jasmine rice is a slightly better fit due to its plump, pliant texture and slightly sweet taste.

What is the difference between horchata and Dirty Horchata? ›

Another yummy alternative milk option is horchata. It's one of the more well-known non-dairy options around! It's basically rice milk so it's something easily done at home. Paired with coffee, and you get what is called a Dirty Horchata (it's called 'dirty' because of the coffee color!)

Is horchata good or bad for your health? ›

Horchata has long been enjoyed for its health benefits, both perceived and real. Generally speaking, horchata is low in fat and rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are great for your skin and hair and can help to reduce inflammation in the body.

What does horchata mean in English? ›

noun. hor·​cha·​ta (h)ȯr-ˈchä-tə plural horchatas. : a cold sweetened beverage made from ground rice or almonds and usually flavorings such as cinnamon or vanilla.

How is horchata made from scratch? ›

How to Make Horchata
  1. Toast the almonds. ...
  2. And then add in the rest of the almonds, rice, cinnamon sticks, vanilla and salt. ...
  3. Allow everything to soak for at least 4 hours. ...
  4. Pour the mixture into the blender. ...
  5. Place a sieve over a bowl and pour it the horchata through it.
Aug 15, 2023

What is the difference between Spanish horchata and Mexican horchata? ›

Different countries will use a different base ingredient. Spanish horchata is made with tiger nuts, while Mexican horchata is usually made with rice. Base ingredient will have a strong impact on the flavor and texture, making each horchata unique.

Does horchata dehydrate you? ›

The hydrating properties of the drink, along with the natural sugar, can help rehydrate the body and replenish electrolytes lost during alcohol consumption. Horchata made from Tiger nuts are rich in fibers which are known to help regulate blood sugar levels.

Why is my horchata so thick? ›

Horchata is often thickened with milk and always served cold. Horchata recipes sometimes include nuts, like almonds.

Should you wash horchata rice? ›

Place the rice on a fine-mesh sieve and rinse until the water runs clear. Transfer the rice to a large bowl and add the cinnamon with 1 quart (4 cups) of cold water. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.

How do you keep horchata from getting gritty? ›

Strain through a triple-layered cheese cloth AND a fine mesh strainer. This step is very important- you do not want a grainy horchata! Squeeze out all the liquid, then discard the remaining grains. Add the evaporated milk and condensed milk and stir well.

Which rice do Mexicans use? ›

The most popular type of rice used in Mexico is a medium long grain rice. Two types are cultivated in Mexico, Sinaloa (long grain) and Morelos (short grain). Rice is served as a food, in and of itself, in Mexican meals.

Are there different types of horchata? ›

However, horchata began to adapt to local Latin American tastes and the ingredients that were available. As a result, there now exists different styles of horchata from Mexico to Ecuador. Some types of horchata are simple, creamy and closely resemble the original Spanish horchata.

What's the difference between Mexican horchata and Salvadorian horchata? ›

You can often tell which mix they use by how they describe the drink: If they use the term “Salvadoran,” they're typically using a version with morro or melon seed, while Mexican horchata, on the other hand, always uses rice.

Does horchata contain alcohol? ›

Horchata de Chufa, one of Spain's most famous non-alcoholic drinks, is originally from the southwestern region of Valencia. It's made from ground chufa nuts ('tigernuts' in English), which aren't actually nuts at all – they're the roots of a wetland plant called a sedge.

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