Horchata is one of my favorite Mexican drinks. It reminds me of street festivals in Mexico where street vendors line the streets to sell delicious home-made treats.

Makes approximately eight cups

Ingredients:

1 cup white rice

2 cups hot water (for rice to sit in)

1 can evaporated milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2 cinnamon sticks

sugar  (3-4 tablespoons) or adjust to your preference

ground cinnamon for serving

5 cups water

– In bowl, add rice and hot water. Let sit for 6-8 hours or preferable overnight. The rice will become soft. To test, bite on a grain of rice; it should fall apart easily. Drain water.

– In a blender, combine rice and cinnamon sticks. Blend until the rice and cinnamon sticks dissolve. Add sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. Blend.

– Use a colander to drain water into a large pitcher. Discard any cinnamon or rice granules left in the colander.

– Add the five cups of water to the rice water. Stir in sugar, according to taste. Serve over ice an a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

Enjoy!