Horchata is a delightful and refreshing beverage that originates from Spain and is popular in many Latin American countries. This recipe creates a version of Horchata that blends ground rice and almonds, with a subtle hint of lime to add a tangy twist. Depending on your preference, you can adjust the amount of water to create a thinner or more creamy drink.
Begin by placing the rice in a blender. Cover and process for 2-3 minutes until the rice is very fine. Transfer the ground rice to a large bowl.
Add the blanched almonds, cinnamon stick, lime zest, and hot water to the bowl with the ground rice. Cover the bowl and let it stand at room temperature for 8 hours.
After the standing time, discard the cinnamon stick. Transfer the rice mixture back to the blender. Cover and process for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is smooth.
Add sugar to the blender and continue to process until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Position a strainer over a pitcher and line it with a double layer of cheesecloth. Pour the rice mixture over the cheesecloth. Use a ladle to press the mixture through the strainer.
Stir in the cold water. Serve the Horchata over ice. If desired, you can sprinkle some ground cinnamon on top and serve with lime slices and additional cinnamon sticks.