Mexico gave us so many amazing dishes — like, tacos, burritos, and nachos — but let’s not forget horchata! It’s the perfect drink to pair with all that tasty food, and the best part is, it’s super simple to make at home!
Check out these 38 recipes for inspiration.
1. Matcha Horchata
Looking for a refreshing drink? Look no further than this matcha horchata. It’s creamy, sweet, and totally vegan! With bold hits of cinnamon and green tea, it’s like a warm hug in a glass.
Make it at home, and click here.
2. Horchata Agua Fresca
Making authentic horchata agua fresca at home is surprisingly simple. To create a sweet, velvety beverage, you need only 5 ingredients: rice, water, cinnamon, sugar, and ice.
Once you have everything laid out, click here.
3. Spiked Horchata
You can enjoy this tequila-spiked horchata cocktail all year round — serve it over ice with spicy Mexican dishes in the summer or embrace its cozy holiday spices during winter.
To get the full recipe, click here.
4. Pumpkin Spice Horchata
Pumpkin spice horchata puts a fall spin on the classic Mexican drink by blending traditional flavors with pumpkin and warm autumn spices.
It’s a must-try, so click here.
5. Oat Horchata
Although horchata is typically made with rice or almonds, you can switch things up a bit by using rolled oats to achieve a creamy, velvety finish!
Make the swap, and click here.
6. Peppermint Horchata
If you’re ready to shake things up, try making this horchata with a refreshing twist of peppermint and rich cocoa — it’s a festive, indulgent treat that you’re going to love!
Want to know more about this recipe? Click here.
7. Keto Horchata
The next time you’re craving horchata, give this keto version a try! It’s made with macadamia nut milk, stevia (instead of sugar), cream, vanilla, and cinnamon.
It’s way too good to pass up: click here.
8. Creamy Horchata
While some people like their horchata to be light and refreshing, I like mine to be a little rich and creamy. And the trick is to strain the rice mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.
Trust me, this added step makes all the difference, so click here.
9. Horchata Margarita
This smooth, dairy-free horchata margarita is spiced with cinnamon and spiked with a mix of tequila and almond liqueur. What’s more, it pairs beautifully with your favorite Mexican dishes!
For the step-by-step breakdown, click here.
10. Horchata de Coco
In my eyes, horchata and coconut are a match made in heaven. This pairing is dairy-free yet creamy and it brings tropical vibes to the table.
So, for this recipe, you’ll need some coconut flakes, long-grain white rice, coconut milk, rice milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.
Once you have all the essentials, click here.
11. Strawberry Horchata (aka Pink Horchata)
Give traditional horchata a sweet, fruity twist with this strawberry version! It’s essentially a rich blend of rice water and cinnamon, plus a delicious strawberry puree to add a pop of flavor, color, and texture.
Everyone will love this drink: click here.
12. Horchata Frappe
Craving a Starbucks-style horchata frappuccino? Let’s make it at home! All you need is rice or almond milk, condensed milk, vanilla extract, ice, instant coffee, cinnamon, and a little whipped cream to top it off.
To get started, click here.
13. Horchata Popsicles
Nothing is better on a hot day than horchata popsicles! Made to taste like the classic drink, they’re a refreshing frozen treat that packs all the cozy flavors into one cool, sweet bite.
Want to give it a try? Click here.
14. Horchata Herbalife Drink
Herbalife horchata is a refreshing drink that blends all-natural ingredients.
It’s a sweet and nutritious treat made with fresh water, Herbalife Porlessa Duo, ground cinnamon, Herbalife Vanilla Protein Mix, and Formula 1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix in Dulce de Leche.
You’re going to love this one, so click here.
15. Vegan Horchata
We’re ditching the whole milk and swapping in almond milk to create a vegan drink that’s decadent, lightly sweet, and cozy.
It’s a plant-based twist that you have to try: click here.
16. Authentic Horchata (Horchata de Arroz)
While it’s fun to put a creative spin on horchata, there’s something special about going back to basics.
So, check out this authentic Mexican version made with ground rice, milk, and cinnamon. It lets you truly savor its traditional, comforting flavors in their purest form.
Follow this simple guide: click here.
17. Dairy-Free Horchata
With so many milk substitutes available today, making a non-dairy horchata has never been easier. Choose from almond, coconut, soy, or cashew milk to give this Mexican drink a unique twist!
Interested in trying this out? Click here.
18. Horchata Pudding Shots
This boozy dessert is sure to be a hit at parties and small gatherings! So, grab your instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, creamy liqueur (like Rumchata), frozen whipped topping, and chocolate sprinkles.
Save this for later: click here.
19. Ube Horchata
With almond, rice, or coconut milk as the base and a splash of ube flavoring, this horchata blends the best of Asian and Mexican flavors in one vibrant purple drink.
For the full recipe breakdown, click here.
20. Horchata Hot Chocolate
This dairy-free hot chocolate takes cozy to a whole new level with horchata as its base. On top of that, a hint of chili powder adds warmth, and — optionally — a splash of tequila makes it extra special!
Get ready for the ultimate indulgence: click here.
21. Horchata Rum Cocktail (or Dirty Horchata)
This dirty horchata recipe combines the bold energy of espresso with the smooth warmth of rum, giving you the perfect balance of caffeine and booze in one delicious drink!
Perfect for turning your happy hour into something a little more fun: click here.
22. Horchata Whipped Coffee
Whipped coffee was all the craze back in 2020, but it’s making a major comeback — this time, with a twist! Add a creamy horchata base, and you’ve got a dreamy drink that’s even better than the original.
If you’re a coffee lover, this is a must-try! Click here.
23. Horchata Whipped Cream (or Horchata Mousse)
If you’re craving a light, airy, and velvety dessert after a full Mexican feast, look no further than this horchata mousse. It combines the classic flavors of cinnamon in one sweet, nutty treat!
Add this to your recipe book, and click here.
24. Coconut Horchata
We’re going all in with this recipe, doubling the coconut goodness by adding both coconut milk and coconut water, creating a creamy, refreshing drink that’s packed with flavor!
Curious to know how this tastes? Click here.
25. Horchata Cold Brew
This recipe combines rich cold brew with homemade horchata, creating the perfect balance of sweetness, bitterness, and creaminess. Feel free to mix them together in one batch or keep them separate.
Check out the complete step-by-step guide, and click here.
26. Horchata Rice Pudding
This easy dessert is slow-simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and Mexican vanilla extract in one pot. Plus, it only takes 45 minutes to make!
Don’t miss out on this recipe: click here.
27. Horchata Ice Cream
With just 8 ingredients and 30 minutes of prep, you can make a delicious horchata ice cream that’s oozing with cozy flavors. So, grab your rice, milk, cinnamon sticks eggs, sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and cream!
Once you have everything you need, click here.
28. Instant Pot Horchata
With the instant pot, you can easily make a homemade horchata in under 30 minutes. Just toss all the ingredients in the basin, and let the appliance work its magic!
Before you know it, you’ve got a delicious drink ready, so click here.
29. Horchata Martini
This horchata martini is served ice cold, with classic flavors of cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla. It has a liquid rice pudding vibe and is the perfect base for a sweet vodka martini!
Want to learn how to make it? Click here.
30. Pineapple Horchata
To prep this drink, start by simmering your pineapple skin and core with rice and water to really pull out that tropical flavor. Then, toss in extra pineapple chunks and a dash of sugar before blending it all up!
The result? A refreshingly fruity treat: click here.
31. Horchata Latte
This horchata latte is a dream come true — made by combining homemade cinnamon rice milk with a shot of espresso. It’s dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free, so it checks all the boxes!
Everyone can enjoy this drink: click here.
32. Horchata Jello Shots
If you’re a big Rumchata fan, this jiggly shot is for you! Packed with liqueur goodness, whipped cream vodka, and gelatin, this boozy dessert is super creamy and easy to shoot!
Topped with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon for that extra kick, it’s as tasty as it is fun to serve.
These jello shots are sure to be a hit at your next party, so click here.
33. Horchata Overnight Oats
This sweet and decadent breakfast recipe is loaded with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, almonds, and so much more. So, if you love a tall glass of horchata, this one’s a must-try!
Start the day right with this dish: click here.
34. Horchata Smoothie
This creamy horchata smoothie is hands-down the most delicious drink I’ve ever had! With dates and cinnamon working their magic, it’s a simple yet vitamin-packed treat you’ll want to sip on all day!
Want to give it a whirl? Click here.
35. Low-Carb Spanish Horchata
Compared to Mexican horchata, this Spanish version uses tiger nuts instead of rice, giving it a unique flavor and prebiotic benefits. Pair that with coconut milk, and you’ve got a low-carb drink with healthy fats!
Add this to your recipe book: click here.
36. Horchata Chia Pudding
The secret to making a delicious horchata chia pudding is in the rice milk. While you can get away with store-bought products, I suggest taking the homemade route — it’ll taste better that way!
To get the full recipe breakdown, click here.
37. Mango Horchata
By combining non-fat milk, water, cinnamon, cardamom, sugar, rice flour, vanilla extract, and mangoes, you can create a deliciously creamy drink with warm, summery vibes.
I’m sure you’ll love this one, so click here.
38. Horchata With Almond Milk
Swapping regular milk for almond milk is an easy way to make your horchata dairy-free, vegan-friendly, and perfect for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
Plus, it adds a nutty flavor that enhances the taste of cinnamon and rice, keeping the drink both light and rich.
This is perfect for small gatherings, so click here.
Bringing Your Horchata to Life
When you think about it, horchata is essentially just made up of rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. But with a little creativity, you can tweak the flavors, throw in some extra ingredients, and make it totally your own!
Featured image credit to @avneets.eats.
