Homemade Horchata Popsicles
A creamy, cinnamon-kissed frozen treat inspired by the classic Mexican horchata drink, perfect for warm weather and easy to make with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus soaking time overnight)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (including freezing and soaking time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 g) white long-grain rice, rinsed and soaked
- 4 cups (960 ml) water for soaking and blending
- 2 cinnamon sticks (about 3 inches each), soaked with rice
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk (can substitute almond or oat milk for dairy-free)
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar, adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the rice and cinnamon sticks in 4 cups of water for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, at room temperature.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks and pour the rice soaking water and rice into a blender. Blend on high for about 1 minute until the rice is roughly ground and the mixture looks milky.
- Strain the blended rice mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a pitcher or bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the rice pulp.
- Stir in the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until the sugar is fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, insert sticks, and freeze for at least 6 hours or until solid. Remove from freezer 5 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
Notes
Soaking the rice and cinnamon sticks overnight is essential for authentic flavor and smooth texture. Adjust sugar after blending to avoid overly sweet popsicles. For creamier texture, substitute half the milk with evaporated or sweetened condensed milk but reduce sugar accordingly. Use silicone molds for easier removal. Store popsicles in airtight containers or covered molds for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popsicle
- Calories: 100120
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 1.8
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3
Keywords: horchata, popsicles, homemade, cinnamon, refreshing, summer treat, Mexican dessert, dairy-free option