Are you looking to spice up your regular coffee drink and love the flavors of Latin America? Then consider adding a creamy horchata to your espresso shots. I think you’ll agree it’s a perfect blend.

Wait…you don’t have a container of horchata on hand? Then we need to fix that, pronto! 

This delicious recipe will produce a sweet, creamy espresso-compatible horchata that will have you dancing the tango every morning.

What is Horchata?

Horchata is a sweet rice water drink found today in most Mexican restaurants across the United States and beyond. It has a distinct nutty, creamy flavor thanks to the mixture of long grain rice and spices.

But to understand this sweet rice drink, you have to look at the roots of horchata.

Horchata originated in Northern Africa and used sweetened tiger nuts. As early as the 11th century, this refreshing drink spread to Spain and Portugal.

Now, most countries in Latin America have their country-specific horchatas. For example, some use sesame seeds, others licorice-like jicaro seeds, while other regions use horchata to flavor beverages, like coffee!

Mexican horchata primarily uses rice, cinnamon, and vanilla blended into a sweet horchata mash mixed with milk.

This simple traditional horchata recipe is what we’ll use to create our creamy horchata latte.

Let’s Make Our Own Horchata Latte

The marriage of horchata and coffee are two flavors that belong together. And best of all, making a batch of horchata latte is relatively easy. The simple ingredient list for this homemade cinnamon rice milk packs a ton of flavor that you will love.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 teaspoons grated cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 shots of espresso or 1 cup of strong coffee
• 3 cups ice cubes

Equipment

• 2 large bowls
• a fine-mesh strainer
• a high-speed blender
• 4 glasses

Step One: Preparing the rice

Combine the uncooked rice and water in a large bowl and leave it to soak for at least 4 hours. You can also place this in your fridge overnight for even yummier results.

Step Two: After the soak

Transfer the rice mixture to a blender and add the cinnamon, vanilla, milk, and granulated sugar. Blend until the rice and seasonings are relatively smooth.

Step Three: Straining the Horchata

Strain the mixture of rice and seasonings into the second large bowl. This step will remove any solid rice pieces that weren’t thoroughly blended.

Step Four: Preparing the Espresso

Fill each glass with ice and pour a single shot of espresso into each one. Of course, you can replace espresso with iced coffee, but you’ll want to make it strong. 

Are you drinking Decaf? Don’t worry! Either make a decaf espresso or strong decaf coffee and use that instead.

Step Five: Add Horchata

Pour a cup of horchata into each glass. If you want your sweet drink a little sweeter, sprinkle in extra sugar or simple syrup and stir. Then enjoy this refreshing iced Horchata latte.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do other recipes mention making horchata on a stovetop?

So there are a lot of ways to make homemade horchata. Some people like to boil until the sugar is dissolved, creating an almost simple syrup to add to their rice mixture. Other ingredients use ground almonds and a can of evaporated milk, adding boatloads of sugar. 

There’s no right or wrong way to make horchata from scratch, but I like the easy way.

Can I use non-dairy milk?

Yes, you can! An iced horchata latte works with all kinds of dairy alternatives and nut milks, but one of my favorite combos is to add a splash of vanilla almond milk. It gives it an extra kick of vanilla.

Can I make this sugar-free?

If you’re looking to avoid a ton of sugar, you can always swap out for a calorie-free simple syrup.

What are some foods that pair well with Horchata Latte?

Umm…you mean besides tacos, tacos, and more tacos? I suggest any breakfast item, especially pancakes or waffles. But a delicious coffee-flavored horchata goes perfectly with homemade churros.

What if I only want a single glass?

You can always try adjusting the recipe’s quantities, or you can store it in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge! Then, give it a shake before serving, and it will still taste delicious.

Can I add anything else to this drink?

Absolutely, yes! Feel free to sprinkle a little cayenne on top for a spicy horchata latte or add a spoonful of cocoa powder for a rich horchata mocha latte. You can even make it a cocktail with a splash of rum. You’ll never go to coffee shops for specialty drinks again!

Horchata Latte

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

This delicious recipe will produce a sweet, creamy espresso-compatible horchata that will have you dancing the tango every morning.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 teaspoons grated cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 shots of espresso or 1 cup of strong coffee
• 3 cups ice cubes

Instructions

1. Combine the uncooked rice and water in a large bowl and leave it to soak for at least 4 hours.
2. Transfer the rice mixture to a blender and add the cinnamon, vanilla, milk, and granulated sugar. Blend until smooth.
3. Strain the mixture of rice and seasonings into the second large bowl.
4. Fill a glass with ice and pour a single shot of espresso into it.
5. Pour a cup of horchata into each glass of iced espresso and enjoy!