Strawberry Horchata Recipe
Strawberry horchata takes the creamy, subtly spiced classic and adds a sweet, vibrant twist. Easy to make and naturally delicious, it brings a taste of Mexico straight to your home.
What is Horchata?
Horchata is a classic Mexican drink made from rice, milk, sugar, and flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. Serve it over ice—either in a pitcher or individual glasses—and finish with a sprinkle of ground canela (Mexican cinnamon) for an authentic touch.
Agua Fresca
This creamy, refreshing beverage ranks among Mexico’s most popular aguas frescas, drinks made to cool off during hot, summery days. This beverage has deep roots in Mexican tradition, and today you can find it everywhere—from family homes to street vendors, taquerías, and restaurants.
Horchata traces its origins back to Spain, where a similar drink called “horchata de chufa” was made with tiger nuts. When it reached Mexico, locals adapted it using rice and cinnamon, creating the version we know and love today. It’s a perfect example of cultural fusion turned iconic.
Explore more aguas frescas:
Strawberry Horchata
While traditional horchata is creamy and subtly spiced, pairing it with fruit, like strawberries, is a natural choice. The sweet, vibrant flavor of strawberries blends beautifully with horchata’s creamy texture, creating a drink that’s both refreshing and indulgent.
This drink is easy to make, naturally delicious, and perfect for sharing. Whether enjoyed as part of a meal or on its own, it’s a drink that brings a little bit of Mexico into your home and is sure to stay on heavy rotation.
Recipe Video Tutorial
Watch my easy video tutorial for step-by-step visuals on making this Strawberry Horchata.
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Sugar-Free Condensed Milk
If you want a sugar-free alternative for your horchata without losing flavor, try my sugar-free sweetened condensed milk recipe. It’s creamy, naturally sweet, and works perfectly in horchata.
Since sugar-free condensed milk is hard to find, I created this version—and it honestly tastes better than store-bought! Adjust sweetness with your favorite sugar alternative.
Pair it with:
Strawberry Horchata Recipe
Ingredients
Rice Mixture
- 1 cup white long grain rice
- 1 Mexican cinnamon stick, (canela)
- 2 cups hot water
Horchata
- 12 oz evaporated milk, (1 can)
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk , (1 can)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1.5 lb fresh strawberries, clean
- 4 cups water, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- To taste sugar
- Ice
Topping
- Fresh strawberries, diced
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in a strainer to remove excess starch. Drain thoroughly and transfer it to a heatproof, deep container. Break the cinnamon stick into pieces and add it to the rice. Pour in 2 cups of boiling water, making sure the rice is fully submerged. Cover with plastic wrap and let it soak for 4 hours or overnight.
- Blend the soaked rice, water, and cinnamon stick until fully broken down. Strain the mixture into a pitcher.
- Remove the green tops from the strawberries. Roughly cut them and blend with 4 cups of room-temperature water until smooth. Pour the strawberry mixture into the pitcher with the rice base.
- Add the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Add sugar to taste, ensuring the condensed milk and sugar dissolve completely.
- Serve the horchata over ice and top with diced strawberries.
Notes
- For a sugar-free version, use my sugar-free sweetened condensed milk recipe and adjust sweetness with your preferred sugar alternative.
- Serve over ice—either in a pitcher or individual glasses—for the best refreshment.
Did you make this recipe?
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Chad
Hello! In the strawberry recipe it says “4 cups room temperature” but I think it should be 4 cups of *water*. thanks!!
Villa Cocina
Hi there, thank you so much for letting me know. Its fixed.
Gene G
Do I strain the strawberries and the 4 cups of water before adding them to the rice mixture?
Villa Cocina
I personally don’t, but you can if desired.