If you’re searching for a truly unique and refreshing treat, look no further than this delightful concoction. Delicious Ube Horchata: Your Cool Refreshment Adventure Recipe brings together the creamy, nutty goodness of traditional horchata with the vibrant, subtly sweet charm of ube. It’s a fabulous twist on a classic drink that offers a gorgeous purple hue and an irresistibly comforting flavor profile that’s perfect for cooling off any time. This recipe is bound to become your go-to refreshment when you want to impress friends, cool down, or simply savor something special at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way each ingredient plays a crucial role. Every item you add—from the cinnamon sticks to the ube halaya—contributes to the drink’s unforgettable taste, lovely color, and smooth texture, making it an adventure for your palate.
- 1 cup White Rice (Soak overnight): This is the creamy base that gives horchata its velvety texture and subtle sweetness.
- 2 sticks Cinnamon Sticks (Broken to release flavor): Cinnamon infuses a warm spice note that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- 1/2 cup Chopped Almonds (Adds nutty richness): Almonds add depth and a pleasant crunch to the flavor profile.
- 2 cups Water (For soaking): Essential to soften the rice and almonds for blending to perfection.
- 1/2 cup Ube Halaya (Jam) (Star ingredient): This vibrant purple yam jam brings that signature ube flavor and stunning color.
- 1 cup Evaporated Milk (Or coconut condensed milk): Adds creaminess and richness that elevates the horchata experience.
- 1 cup Milk of Choice (Oat, Almond, Whole, or Skim): Your customizable option for smoothness and to keep the drink light or indulgent.
- 1 teaspoon Ube Extract (Adjust based on brand): Intensifies the authentic ube flavor with a little extra punch.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (For garnish): Sprinkled on top for that inviting aroma and a pretty finish.
- 1 stick Cinnamon Stick (For garnish): A charming accent that looks fantastic in the glass and adds subtle flavor as you sip.
How to Make Delicious Ube Horchata: Your Cool Refreshment Adventure Recipe
Step 1: Soak the Rice, Almonds, and Cinnamon
Start by soaking your white rice, chopped almonds, and broken cinnamon sticks in 2 cups of water overnight. This crucial step softens these ingredients perfectly, ensuring they release all their flavors and create that creamy horchata base we love.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
Once soaked, transfer the rice, almonds, and cinnamon along with the soaking water into a blender. Blend on high until everything is finely ground and smooth. This is what builds the characteristic texture and body for your drink.
Step 3: Strain the Mixture
Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl. Press and squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible, leaving behind the rice and almond pulp. This step ensures a silky smooth horchata without any grittiness.
Step 4: Add the Ube Halaya and Milks
To the strained liquid, add the ube halaya, evaporated milk, your milk of choice, and ube extract. Stir thoroughly until everything is perfectly combined and the color turns a stunning, inviting purple.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Refrigerate your Delicious Ube Horchata: Your Cool Refreshment Adventure Recipe for at least an hour to let flavors meld and cool completely. Serve over ice for maximum refreshment.
How to Serve Delicious Ube Horchata: Your Cool Refreshment Adventure Recipe
Garnishes
Presentation matters, especially when it comes to a drink as gorgeous as ube horchata. Sprinkle a light dusting of ground cinnamon on top and add a cinnamon stick to each glass. It not only looks stunning but adds a lovely aroma that enhances the whole drinking experience.
Side Dishes
This ube horchata pairs wonderfully with light and sweet treats. Think crispy churros, buttery Filipino egg rolls, or even a tropical fruit salad. The creamy, sweet notes of the drink complement these snacks perfectly, making for a delightful break or a refreshing complement to dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your ube horchata in mason jars adorned with purple and gold ribbons or with colorful straws to really highlight its vibrant hue. You can also freeze some into popsicles for a frozen treat version of the drink—perfect for summer gatherings or kids’ parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover ube horchata in an airtight container or covered pitcher in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 3 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this delicious refreshment again without losing any flavor or creaminess.
Freezing
If you want to extend its shelf life, freezing is an option, but be aware the texture may change slightly once thawed. Freeze in ice cube trays for small portions or airtight containers for larger quantities. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheating
This horchata is best served cold, so reheating isn’t typically recommended. However, if you prefer it warm, heat gently on the stove over low heat—never boiling—to keep the flavors intact and prevent curdling.
FAQs
Can I use other types of milk in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can use oat, almond, whole, or skim milk depending on your preference or dietary needs. Each will slightly alter the creaminess, but all work well.
What if I don’t have ube halaya? Can I substitute it?
Ube halaya is key for the authentic flavor and color, but if unavailable, you can try ube powder or frozen ube puree with some added sugar. The flavor won’t be quite the same but still delicious.
How long does this ube horchata last in the fridge?
Stored properly in a sealed container, the horchata will stay fresh for about 3 days. Stir before serving if separation occurs.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Use a plant-based evaporated milk alternative or coconut condensed milk and a non-dairy milk of your choice to keep the drink completely vegan.
Is this recipe very sweet?
The sweetness mostly comes from the ube halaya and evaporated milk; you can adjust it by adding less ube halaya or choosing unsweetened milks if you prefer a less sweet version.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the exciting flavors and vibrant color of our Delicious Ube Horchata: Your Cool Refreshment Adventure Recipe to brighten your day. Whether you’re cooling off on a hot afternoon or looking to wow guests with something delightful and different, this drink delivers on all fronts. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite way to sip and savor!
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Delicious Ube Horchata: Your Cool Refreshment Adventure Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes plus overnight soaking and chilling
- Yield: 4 servings (about 4 cups)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Filipino-Mexican Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the creamy and refreshing flavors of Ube Horchata, a vibrant twist on the classic Mexican horchata infused with sweet ube halaya and warm cinnamon. This easy no-cook beverage combines soaked rice, almonds, and a blend of milks for a rich, nutty, and naturally purple drink that’s perfect for a cool refreshment on any day.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup White Rice (Soaked overnight)
- 2 sticks Cinnamon Sticks (Broken to release flavor)
- 1/2 cup Chopped Almonds (Adds nutty richness)
- 2 cups Water (For soaking)
Flavor & Sweetener
- 1/2 cup Ube Halaya (Jam) (Star ingredient)
- 1 teaspoon Ube Extract (Adjust based on brand)
Milk & Creaminess
- 1 cup Evaporated Milk (Or coconut condensed milk)
- 1 cup Milk of Choice (Oat, Almond, Whole, or Skim)
Garnish
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (For garnish)
- 1 stick Cinnamon Stick (For garnish)
Instructions
- Soak the Rice and Almonds: Combine the white rice, chopped almonds, broken cinnamon sticks, and 2 cups of water in a large bowl. Let them soak overnight to soften the rice and infuse the water with cinnamon flavor.
- Blend the Mixture: After soaking, remove the cinnamon sticks and transfer the rice and almond mixture along with the soaking water to a blender. Blend until smooth to extract the creamy base for the horchata.
- Strain the Liquid: Pour the blended mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a large pitcher to remove solids, leaving a smooth rice and almond milk base.
- Add Ube Ingredients: Stir in the ube halaya and ube extract thoroughly until the mixture has a consistent vibrant purple color and smooth texture.
- Incorporate Milks: Add the evaporated milk (or coconut condensed milk) and your choice of milk to the pitcher. Mix well to combine the rich creaminess and mellow sweetness across the drink.
- Chill the Horchata: Refrigerate the ube horchata for at least 1 hour until fully chilled and flavors have melded together.
- Serve and Garnish: Pour the chilled horchata into glasses over ice. Garnish each glass with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick for an aromatic touch.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use coconut condensed milk and plant-based milk options such as oat or almond milk.
- The soaking step is crucial for a smooth and creamy texture; do not skip or shorten the soaking time.
- Adjust the amount of ube extract based on its strength and flavor preference.
- For an extra nutty flavor, toast the almonds lightly before soaking.
- Serve immediately after chilling for best freshness and flavor balance.
