Gluten-Free Classic Horchata
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
The creamy, spiced delight of this authentic gluten-free horchata, a refreshing beverage perfect for any time of day. Its smooth texture and subtle cinnamon notes make it an irresistible treat.
At a glance: This easy drinks and smoothies recipe yields 2 servings in about 28 minutes (8 min prep, 20 min cook). It uses 7 ingredients — including long-grain white rice, water — and walks through 5 steps. Updated . Browse more drinks and smoothies recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Classic Horchata: When preparing this drinks and smoothies recipe, when sourcing ingredients, especially sugar and vanilla extract, always look for a certified gluten-free label to prevent accidental exposure to gluten. Ensure your blender and straining equipment are thoroughly cleaned before use In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools.
Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Classic Horchata: This horchata recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on rice and spices. Always ensure your sugar and vanilla extract are certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the long-grain white rice under cool water until the water runs clear, which should take about 1-2 minutes. Place the rinsed rice, 4 cups of water, and the cinnamon stick into a blender. Blend on high speed for about 1 minute until the rice is finely broken down.
- 2
Let the rice mixture steep at room temperature for at least 20 minutes, or up to 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld. The longer it steeps, the more pronounced the rice flavor will be.
- 3
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag into a large bowl or pitcher. Press gently on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible, aiming for a smooth, milky liquid. Discard the solids.
- 4
Stir in the granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon into the strained liquid until the sugar is completely dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness or cinnamon if desired.
- 5
Add the ice cubes to the pitcher and stir until chilled, or pour the horchata into glasses filled with ice. Serve immediately for a refreshing and authentic experience.
Nutrition (per serving)
Tips & Notes
- Rinse rice until the water runs clear to remove surface starch and prevent clumping.
- Scrape a real vanilla bean pod into the batter and steep the pod in warm milk for 10 minutes for intense flavor.
- Ceylon cinnamon is milder and sweeter; Cassia (the common kind) is more pungent — both work here.
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