Cooking 26 Horchata Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth  

If you've never had horchata before, then you're in for a ridiculously delicious treat! This drink combines the flavor of rice milk with vanilla and cinnamon. It's a perfect blend of sweetness and the spicy kick that only cinnamon can give. If you're ready for a sweet flavor explosion, you've got to try out these horchata recipes.

But first, some background on this delicious drink. The original horchata recipe was introduced to Mexico by Spanish colonists from Valencia. It was actually called horchata de chufa. The original recipe is made with tiger nuts, soaked in a blend of water and sugar. Since tiger nuts are not native to Mexico (and thus, hard to track down), the recipe had to be adapted. Nowadays, most authentic horchata recipes are made from rice and canela (Mexican cinnamon).

Some traditional horchata recipes are more watery, while others use milk or alternatives like coconut milk and almond milk to give them a creamier consistency. You can also substitute the rice with nuts, grains, or fresh fruits. Recipes differ from region to region, but they are all delicious. You can also have low-carb and vegan friendly versions (as you'll see on the list).

You also don't have to stick to the drink form of horchata. In fact, our list covers a lot of other different ways to enjoy the horchata flavor: cupcakes, popsicles, and cookies are just some examples. And for the adults, don't be afraid to spice up your horchata recipe with a little rum, or RumChata, which is a Caribbean rum that combines cinnamon, vanilla, sugar and other "secret" flavors.