Name: Strawberry Horchata
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked white rice; 6 cups water; 10 oz strawberries; ⅔ cup almond milk (or coconut, soy, oats milk); 1 small cinnamon stick; 1 tsp Vanilla extract; stevia (or any sweetener you prefer); crushed ice (to serve)

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This strawberry horchata recipe is creamy, lightly sweet, and naturally dairy-free. A fun and healthy way to make one of the most popular Mexican drinks in just 15 minutes!

Two cups filled with strawberry horchata fresca and served with ice. Paper straws scattered around and a pitcher with more fresca behind. Luminous and white kitchen environment.

Why you should make this recipe

Most recipes for horchata agua fresca include condensed or evaporated milk but we decided to make it dairy-free by adding almond milk instead, which makes this recipe naturally vegan too.

Of course, you can always make it the old-fashioned way but if you have dairy intolerances or just want a more healthy version of strawberry horchata, try our recipe, I promise you will love it.

Strawberry horchata fresca on a pitcher and a box of fresh strawberries on the side. View from above.

What is strawberry horchata?

Horchata in Mexico is a tradition from our Spaniard heritage, you will find it in every restaurant, ice parlor and sold in the streets of almost every city.

Agua de horchata con fresas is the Spanish name for this strawberry horchata and is one of the most popular modern recipes for agua fresca in Mexico.

Strawberry Horchata was one of my favorite drinks in Mexico and still is, so I try to make it often here where I live. My husband loves it and in summer is very common that we keep a jug with agua de horchata in the fridge to drink throughout the day.

The ingredients needed

RICE: For a Mexican authentic flavor, go with a long-grain type of rice. Mexican rice should be your first choice but other substitutions work fine too, such as Jazmin rice or Basmati rice.
“MILK”: You can use any kind of milk you want, for example, coconut milk adds a very delicious and tropical hint. Or oat milk for a creamy consistency. And, if you’d like to add other types of milk, we also have an easy recipe for homemade condensed milk here in our blog.
AROMA: We used a stick of cinnamon and vanilla extract in this recipe but you can also use other flavors like anise, almond, or orange extract. Just be easy on them, you don’t want to cover the wonderful strawberry taste.
SWEET: We used stevia on this recipe and since not everyone likes to add sugar to their beverages, this recipe is pretty easy to adjust to anybody’s preferences. Of course, you can use sugar, stevia, monk fruit, honey, etc.

Strawberry horchata ingredients labeled on a marble surface.

How To Wash Strawberries

Wash your strawberries only when you’re ready to make this recipe.
Fill a large bowl with 4 cups of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar.
Add strawberries to the bowl and soak for 15 minutes.
Place in a colander and wash thoroughly under cold water.
After washing, pat them dry with kitchen paper towels and use them as the recipe calls.

Fresh strawberries scattered on a white wooden surface.

Related: Why you should wash strawberries.

How To Make It

Rinse once or twice the rice under cool water. Place it in a large bowl and add the cinnamon stick. Add water until covered for about 2-inch (5cm) and let it soak for at least 4 hours or better yet, overnight.

Add the soaked rice and cinnamon along with the soaking water to a blender. Blend it on high until it is completely smooth (about 3-4 minutes).

Using a five sieve or a cheesecloth, strain the liquid into a large pitcher and discard the leftover pulp from rice and cinnamon.

Add 2/3 of the washed strawberries to the blender with the remaining water and blend until smooth. Strain into the pitcher with the rice water discarding any leftovers.

Add the almond milk, vanilla extract, and sugar/stevia to the pitcher and stir well until combined.

Chop the rest of the strawberries and add to the horchata, adjusting also the other ingredients to your liking (sugar, extracts).

Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and let it cool for 1-2 hours. Or you can also prepare some glasses with crushed ice and serve this strawberry horchata immediately.

Useful Notes

Don’t add ice to the pitcher with the horchata because it will dilute and become less flavored, instead, add the ice to glasses and serve as you go.
If strawberries are not in season, you can also use frozen strawberries to make this fresca. You don’t even need to thaw them, just blend them with the other ingredients.
If you don’t have cinnamon sticks, you can use grounded cinnamon. 1 tablespoon should be enough for this strawberry horchata recipe.

Can be made ahead?

Absolutely! This recipe can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept in the fridge until served. Just make sure you place it in a pitcher with a lid on.

Agua de horchata con fresas, aka, strawberry horchata. Served on a cup with handle.

Tweak it!

Add some diced mango or pineapple to the blend for a tropical touch.
Spike it up with a dash of tequila for a grown-up drink.
Use packed brown sugar or piloncillo for a depth of flavor.

More Mexican frescas to try