Vegan Horchata Recipe with Almond Milk | Aline Made (2024)

FAQs

Is horchata made from almond milk? ›

Horchata is an iced rice milk beverage from Mexico that's a simple blend of rice, cinnamon, almond milk and sweetener.

As almond milk is made from seeds (yep, technically they are seeds, not nuts), they are in theory completely vegan, and as they are not generally not sweetened or altered with animal byproducts like honey, it is understood as vegan.

Dirty horchata is a shot of cold brew added to creamy, sweet horchata. ☕ Horchata is a traditional refreshing Mexican drink made from rice, milk and almonds. Richly flavored with vanilla, sugar and cinnamon sticks.

More often, it is not made vegan. Most horchata drinks will be made out of rice to follow the traditional recipe, but now, they will also often include some cow's milk or condensed dairy milk to make it creamier. Thus, they are usually not dairy-free.

Truth is there are two major kinds of horchata (Spanish and Mexican) and they're as similar as they are different. As in both are cold, milky, sweet beverages but they're made with different ingredients.

The original horchata from Valencia, Spain is made from chufa, or tiger nuts, water, sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Tiger nuts didn't grow in the Americas when the Spanish arrived, so the Spanish used different nuts, seeds and grains to recreate horchata in their colonies.

It is a source of vitamins C and E, and is also rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. Most recipes are dairy and gluten-free, ensuring horchata is easy on the stomach. When you want a beverage that is simple, natural, and provides health benefits with ease, horchata is the perfect option for you.

Some are more watery, while others are creamier from being mixed with milk. Some are made with toasted rice, while others are made with soaked rice, and some are combined with other nuts, grains, or fresh fruits.

Cons of almond milk

It's not a good source of protein. It may contain carrageenan, which may cause digestive issues in some people. There are some environmental concerns about the amount of water used to cultivate almonds.

Why are almonds not vegan? ›

For a long time, a staple like almonds have been a reliable source of nutrition for anyone on a plant-based diet. However, with recent surges in global popularity and demand for almonds for products like almond milk have seen the introduction of farmed bees in order to pollinate almond farms.

Almond milk is a plant-based, vegan-friendly food by nature. The basic recipe contains only two ingredients that almond milk is made from: almonds and water. Almonds, the most nutritious nuts, also make a milk alternative that's good for your health.

The drink originated in North Africa, and it is estimated that during the 11th century, it began to spread throughout Hispania (now Spain and Portugal). There are 13th-century records of a horchata-like beverage made near Valencia, where it remains a common drink.

noun. hor·​cha·​ta (h)ȯr-ˈchä-tə plural horchatas. : a cold sweetened beverage made from ground rice or almonds and usually flavorings such as cinnamon or vanilla.

Long-Grain Jasmine Rice Makes A Great Horchata Base

Basmati and jasmine rice are both types of long-grain white rice, but jasmine rice is a slightly better fit due to its plump, pliant texture and slightly sweet taste.

Mexican horchata is typically made with rice, water, cinnamon, milk, and sugar. Traditional Mexican horchata is made without dairy- this is actually the kind of horchata my abuela grew up drinking, and the recipe I am sharing with you today was passed down from my great grandmother!

Facts About Almond Milk

It is lower in carbohydrate than rice milk at about 8 grams in the unsweetened variety. Almonds themselves contain protein in the whole form, but almond milk is not a good source of protein or calcium though it does naturally contain vitamin E.

Across South America horchata is made with rice and/or sesame seeds, melon seeds, peanuts, almonds, or cashews. For this homemade almond-and-rice milk horchata recipe, we roast the nuts for maximum toasted flavor (though you can skip this step if you prefer).

Both rice and almond milk have about the same amount of fat per serving and are often fortified with essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. But here's where the nutty and ricey contenders differ… Almond milk is lower in calories and carbs compared to rice milks.