Coconut Horchata
This creamy, dairy-free drink tastes just like a rice pudding milkshake! Â You’ll love the hint of cinnamon, toasted almond, and coconut in this fun twist on traditional Mexican horchata.
We did something totally new and different over the weekend! Â Well, new to us anyway. Â We went to a Nascar race! Â I know, WOW!
If you know me at all then you know I’m not really much into sports of any kind. Â But I’m married to a raging sports-nerd, and I have two very boy-ish sons. Â So, needless to say my world is quite different than what I ever could have imagined for myself. Â There are lots of little league games and fridge-hockey and generally loud and dirty activities happening most of the time. Â But, for the most part, they are into more “traditional” competitive sports, like football, basketball, etc.
Now my little guy become addicted to the iPad and he loves to find silly YouTube videos to watch.  He recently discovered Nascar through this channel, and it’s been on repeat for the last several days.  Hubby was looking for a fun family activity on Sunday, when he realized there was a big race happening not too far from where we live.
So, we packed a cooler and piled into the car to see what we could see. Â And I have to say, I can understand why people get so into it. Â It was thrilling! Â The noise is spectacular, and the cars are flying by so fast you can hardly even make them out. Â They just flash by, every few minutes. Â It’s not even a blur, it’s a flash! Â Watching the pit crews is astounding. Â There’s just a ton of action and you can feel the electricity in the air. Â We only stayed for a little over half the race but in that time we saw 3 crashes (no injuries) and this unbelievable sequence of events unfolded right before my eyes. Â Thankfully no one was seriously hurt, but that racecar driver was later quoted to say he felt it cost him the race. Â All 3 drivers that had been in the lead ended up running out of gas in the last lap, so the cup went to the guy that was just seconds ahead of him. Â Drama!
Sometimes it’s good to step outside of your comfort zone! Â It was a truly memorable experience and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to give it a try- it was so much fun!
This post kinda falls into that same category.  I have definitely heard of horchata before, but never have I tasted it, and certainly never thought to make it.  I know it’s big in some parts of the country, but around where I live it’s just not really on the radar.  But one of the things I just love about blogging is how it pushes me to make and try things I probably would have never had the inclination to otherwise.
I’m so glad I did because this was easy and fun to make, and my guys seemed to really enjoy it. Â Mr. Allie said it reminded him of a rice pudding milkshake. Â He’s a big rice pudding fan, so I took it as a compliment!
This drink is cool, creamy, and refreshing, with the familiar and comforting flavors of rice and cinnamon. Â It’s amazing how creamy it is, for being dairy-free. Â Usually, it’s made with water, and falls into the “agua fresca” category of traditional Mexican drinks. Â But I thought it would be fun to add a coconut twist. Â I was really happy with the added richness the coconut milk brought, along with that summery tropical flavor.
We just sipped it over ice, but I think it would also be really good with a shot of rum added to it! Â Here’s to new experiences!
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This creamy, dairy-free drink tastes just like a rice pudding milkshake! You'll love the hint of cinnamon, toasted almond, and coconut in this fun twist on traditional Mexican horchata.
- 1/4 cup uncooked rice (I used Carolina style)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 13.66 ounces coconut milk (the kind you find in the Asian foods section)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (extract can be substituted)
- 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
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Place the rice, almonds, and cinnamon in a blender and process on high-speed, until fine and powder-y (about 90 seconds).
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Add the hot water and allow to soak overnight.
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Blend the mixture again, then add the sugar and coconut milk.
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Blend once more, then pour through a fine mesh sieve that has been lined with cheesecloth.
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Stir in the vanilla and coconut extracts.
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Chill, and serve over ice.
I have never tried horchata Allie, so this will be a new thing for me, but I’m always game to try something different! I think I am going to love the taste of the coconut because that’s one of my favorite things! Wow, Nascar! I am sure the boys LOVED it! You’re a trooper! Have a great week!
Yeah it’s definitely not something I ever would have pictured myself doing, but it was pretty cool to see. So glad to know that you’re a coconut lover! You’d probably love this drink then 😉
Your weekend definitely sounds exciting, Allie! It sounds like your boys definitely had a great time!
And this horchata? Oh man, just stooooop! This looks so darn amazing!
Haha thanks Sarah! It was a lot of fun and definitely exciting. Hope yours was too sweetie!
Allie, back in my advertising days, I worked on the Best Western account, who always partnered with NASCAR . . it’s a whole other world. . the NASCAR fans and everything . . you are right! it’s thrilling!!! and I LOVE that you made coconut horchata!!! this looks so refreshing and coconut lovers will love this!!!
That is so cool! It really is a whole other world, I couldn’t believe the tailgaters and all the RV’s set up right in the middle of the track! They literally drive their campers to the racetrack and then set up right in the middle. Amazing! Thanks Alice!
So…NASCAR! I’ve never been to a NASCAR race but I used to go watch drag racing with my dad when I was little. I totally get the thrill, however, I’d rather be sipping your coconut horchata while listening to the crickets in my back yard. I’m officially an old person. 🙂
Well, I’m right there with ya girl. I did have fun at the race but I think sipping drinks while listening to crickets is actually much more appealing 😉
Yes, adding rum to it and a little coconut liqueur makes it OMG a Horchata cocktail, so good and refreshing, I enjoy some every year on our trip to Mexico. I would love to go to a Nascar race, we only went to Monster Truck shows, which was pretty cool too.
We did Monster Trucks for his birthday back in March and he LOVED it! He’s all boy, lol. Now you have me wanting a Horchata cocktail 😛 Thanks so much Katalina- hope you’re having a great week hon!
I love that this is dairy-free! YUM! All of the flavors sound delicious and definitely worth a try 🙂 Bot of my girls love sports (playing and watching). My older daughter nearly convinced us (really my husband) to travel to Canada for the Women’s World Cup earlier this summer. If it wasn’t for previous family commitments, we definitely would have gone! NASCAR isn’t something on our radar, but it sounds like it was a lot of fun!
Now that would have really been something to see! History in the making! So glad you like this Aida 🙂
Yay, so cool! Sounds like such an awesome weekend! Your boys must have had so much fun 🙂 Love this coconut horchata! It looks incredible, Allie!
They had a blast! It was a total “boy” day, lol! Thanks so much Kelly!
I’ve never been to a nascar race but I can imagine it must be quite the experience!!
I’ve also never heard of horchata! But it looks fantastic!
It was, QUITE the experience, for sure! And the horchata was really fun and different too! Thanks Ashley 🙂
Holy moly! I have to admit I assumed car racing would be pretty boring. Just going around in a circle and all. But sounds super exciting and I just watched that video of the guy crashing into his pit crew. Yikes! Glad you had fun. Sounds like you found a new family activity! This horchata looks perfect for a hot day!
I know, right? I didn’t expect it to be as fun as it turned out to be. I don’t know if we’ll become one of “those” families, but it sure was something fun and different. So glad you like the horchata, Liz! Thanks so much for the sweet comment 🙂
Woah! I have never heard or seen such a drink but it looks amazing! How refreshing, I just love coconut! Will have to give this one a go!
It’s different right? It’s Mexican! I had never tried it before either but I really liked it. Thanks so much Jess!
Tastes like a rice pudding drink? Wow, count me in!! I am glad you introduced me to this drink, I have never seen anything like it!
So glad you like it Cathleen! I had seen it around but never actually tried it. So glad I finally did! Happy Friday sweetie!
I’ve never had horchata and yours looks amazing- love the coconut flavor!
Thanks Medha! I think regular horchata is probably really tasty too, but I loved the coconut twist. Have a great weekend dear!
Okay so my husband and I used to live in Indianapolis, and one year when my family was visiting we decided to go to the Indy 500. The highlight of the trip by far was when my sister-in-law and my dad (both photographers) had a contest to see who could get the best redneck picture. Haha!
Nascar races are SO LOUD!! Sounds like you guys had fun. Next time i go I’m bringing this horchata, it looks legit!
That is hilarious. I wasn’t going to use the “r-word,” but since you brought it up…. I thought it was kind of interesting to think that a lot of guys, getting ready to head out for the day, were picking out their clothes to wear and just thought, “eh. who needs a shirt. shorts and boots are good enough for me!” And yes- you are right! SO loud. Luckily we thought to bring earplugs. Thanks so much Karen!
I’ve never actually tried horchata before, but I am SO intrigued! And I love anything with coconut, so I need to get on this! Pinned!
I was intrigued too! Here’s to trying new things, right? Thanks so much for pinning sweetie and have a great weekend 🙂
I adore Horchatas! The flavor is so wonderful. I cannot wait to try this!
Thank you so much Joc! Hope you have safe travels today and a restful weekend <3
The flavors in this are CRAZY yum, Allie!! A girl I used to work with a LONG time ago would always bring me Horchata, but yours looks like it blows hers out of the dang water! (<– Don't repeat that!). And this is dairy free???? OMG, my tummy loves you SO much right now! Pinned! <3
I am a huge Nascar Nerd, so I LOVE that you had such a blast! Yay! Cheers, girl!
Woohoo! So glad you like the horchata recipe and yeah Nascar! I think I might be on my way to becoming a nerd too 😉 Thanks Cheyanne!
It sounds like your boys had a blast. This horchata recipe looks delicious!
They had so much fun. Love seeing those sparkling eyes and wide smiles! It was a terrific day. Thanks so much Matt!
Horchata is something I absolutely love and so is coconut, so yeah, this needs to happen!
Hooray!!! So glad you like it Naomi. Thanks dear!
I have to try this, it looks so yummy!!!
Thanks Amanda! It really is! Have a great weekend my friend 🙂
While two of my brothers all are boy, football, basketball, hunting, the whole nine yards, my younger one loves (and I mean lives and breathes) Nascar. That is so cool that you were able to go! And that your boys are into it too! While I’m not quite as Nascar savvy, I do know a stunning drink when I see one. That is one gorgeous recipe Allie!
I’m definitely not Nascar savvy either but I did think it was quite a sight to behold. So glad you like the recipe sweetie! Thanks for the comment and have a great weekend 🙂
This looks so refreshing and creamy! I adore rice pudding at the moment, cannot get enough, so anything that tastes like it is a winner in my eyes!
You and Mr. Allie both! So happy you like this idea Annie. Happy Friday to you sweetie!
Mind blown. I love horchata, and I love coconut. Never thought of combining the two. Looking forward to trying out your recipe.
Gosh I hope you love it! We thought it was great but honestly I had no point of reference as it was my first taste of horchata ever! Kinda embarrassing… you’ll have to let me know, k? Thanks Maggie!
Hello,
Do I leave the powder stuff to soak in the fridge or at room temp? Covered or uncovered?
Hey Lisa! I’m so sorry for the late reply- I’ve been knocked out with pneumonia for the last 2 weeks. I left mine at room temp (covered) but you could do it in the fridge too. Either way should work just fine. Hope you enjoy!