This agua de arroz recipe is going to become your new favorite summer beverage! It’s a super delicious Mexican beverage made from rice. If you like arroz con leche (Mexican rice pudding) then you’re definitely going to love agua de arroz. Agua de arroz is also referred to as “agua de horchata” “horchata de arroz” or just “horchata”. It’s a favorite among kids and adults. Give it a try this summer!
Horchata is one of our favorite drinks. My kids absolutely adore it! It goes great with spicy foods as the dairy in it will balance out the heat. I like to serve it during cook outs when we make carne asada.
What I like about the drink is it’s simplicity. It’s made with simple ingredients that you most likely already have on hand.
Another drink we like to make with rice is this yummy pera piña recipe.
What is agua de horchata made of?
There are many different variations of horchata however this particular recipe is made with rice, water, whole cinnamon, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and Mexican vanilla.
Is horchata Mexican or Puerto Rican?
The particular recipe that I’m sharing today is a Mexican recipe. However, as I said earlier there are many different variations of horchata throughout Latin America.
Puerto Rican horchata is made with sesame seeds. It’s a really delicious take on horchata.
How to make agua de arroz?
Put the rice in a bowl and break up the cinnamon stick into pieces and add it to the bowl as well. Pour in 6 cups of water and cover the bowl. Let the mixture soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Transfer half of the soaked mixture to a blender and blend for about a minute. Then strain into a pitcher using a fine mesh strainer. Discard the solids.
Next, add the can of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and the rest of the soaked mixture to the blender and blend for another minute. Then strain into the pitcher. You can discard the solids that are leftover in the strainer.
Now, add the remaining cups of water and the vanilla and stir well. Put the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill or you can serve it immediately over ice.
Looking for more refreshing beverages this summer? Try these:
What is the difference between horchata and agua fresca?
Horchata is a type of agua fresca. Horchatas can be made from grains, cereals and seeds.
Aguas frescas are beverages that are very popular throughout Latin America and are made from fruits, grains, cereals, seeds or a combinations of them.
Can I use sugar instead of sweetened condensed milk?
Yes, you can. I prefer the sweetened condensed milk though because it gives the horchata a creamier consistency.
If using sugar I suggest starting with 3/4 cup. If it’s not sweet enough for you, you can always add more.
I used a whole can of sweetened condensed milk then I used half of another can in order to get it to my desired level of sweetness.
It’s always best to start with a little then add more as you go if you find it needs it.
How to make agua de arroz
This delicious Mexican rice water drink is very popular among both kids and adults.
My family, especially my son is always thrilled whenever I make it.
I hope you’ll give it a try and I hope you enjoy it just as much as we do.
Let me know what you think of it in the comments below and don’t forget to leave it a rating.
Thank you so much for visiting, see you soon!
Agua de Arroz
Ingredients
- 2 cups of rice
- 1 Mexican cinnamon stick
- 12 cups water divided
- 1 can of evaporated milk
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk plus more if needed
- 1 tbs Mexican vanilla blend
Instructions
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Put the rice in a large bowl. Then break up the cinnamon stick into pieces and add it to the bowl as well.
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Pour in 6 cups of water and cover the bowl. Let soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
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Transfer half of the soaked mixture along with half the water used for soaking to the blender and blend for about a minute.
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Then strain into a pitcher using a fine mesh strainer.
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Next, pour in the can of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and the rest of the soaked mixture to the blender and blend for another minute. Then strain into the pitcher. Discard the solids left behind in the strainer.
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Now add the remaining 6 cups of water and the vanilla to the pitcher. Stir well.
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Transfer to the refrigerator to chill or serve immediately over ice. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Marie Everson
Thursday 21st of October 2021
This is perfect! I’ve been scouring the internet for the right recipe and this nails it! I was spending $5 for 2 glasses of horchata and this saves me a ton of money! I’ve tried recipes that include sweetened condensed milk and/or evaporated milk and I find those leaving a weird aftertaste. This is sweetened perfectly, gives u the right balance of rice flavored water and creaminess (which isn’t too heavy). This is a winner, thank u so much for the recipe!
Shara Hills
Saturday 20th of April 2019
Hi, is the rice cooked or fo you use it raw? Thank you.
Carissa
Saturday 20th of April 2019
Hi Shara, the rice is raw.