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
Scale
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.
