DIRTY CHAI LATTE RECIPE

Love coffeehouse drinks but want to make them at home? Us, too! While we love heading to the coffee shop it can consume a lot of time and money! We have been working to create some of our favorite coffee shop drink recipes at home.

We love the dirty chai latte because you can drink it warm or cold over ice! You can order a dirty chai latte at Starbucks but it is not vegan. They use honey in it. But when you make a Dirty Chai Latte at home, you can make it vegan!

Make an Iced Chai Latte if you prefer your coffeehouse drinks cold. If you love making delicious coffee house drinks at home, you have got to check out our turmeric latte, iced matcha latte and our oat milk latte too. The coffee flavor doesn't stop with drinks at our house; we love to carry it over into all kinds of recipes, just like this Tiramisu Ice Cream! YUM!

WHAT IS A DIRTY CHAI?

If you aren't yet familiar with this amazing drink, you are in for a treat! Making a chai latte "dirty" means that we'll add espresso or coffee to it, giving it another layer of flavor and some extra buzz.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS DIRTY CHAI RECIPE

Easy, Scratch Chai Recipe: You can buy chai latte concentrate, but why would you when it's easy to make this sweet, spiced tea from scratch using traditional chai spices!? Cardamom, ginger, anise, and all the rest are so flavorful and amazing, especially when you use whole spices rather than ground.

Make Ahead: You can double or triple this recipe so that you have a homemade masala chai latte concentrate in your fridge, ready to go for the week!

Dirty Chai Latte exactly the way you want - This mix of chai tea and coffee is the perfect morning pick-me up. A chai latte without coffee can be made using this recipe too, so I'll let you decide how much caffeine you need! You can even make it decaf by using decaf tea bags and decaf espresso. Being able to customize your drink is the best part about making your own starbucks recipes at home!

It's Vegan! - While traditional chai recipes and most that you'll find at coffee shops will use honey as a sweetener, this recipe uses a plant based sweetener instead. It's an easy swap that makes a big difference!

INGREDIENTS IN A DIRTY CHAI LATTE

Water - Use still tap or still bottled water for this latte.

Vegetable or nut milk - I love coconut milk, but you can use your favorite non-dairy milk here. I've also made this with Hemp Milk and Macadamia nut milk.

Black tea bags - Use your favorite brand of tea or grab some black tea online as well. If you prefer loose tea, use two tablespoons in a tea strainer for this chai recipe.

Cinnamons sticks - I always seem to have cinnamon sticks in my pantry. Any brand of cinnamon sticks will work.

Whole cardamom pods - Be sure to use the whole cardamom pods and not ground cardamom. We will slowly extract all of the best flavor from whole pods.

Whole cloves - Be sure to use whole cloves and not ground cloves.

Star anise - Star anise is a fun spice because it has a neat shape and a unique taste!

Pepper corns - While this might seem like an interesting ingredient, the whole pepper corns add depth to the favor!

Ginger - You will need to use fresh ginger for this recipe; you do not need to peel it.

Maple syrup - You can use any brand of real maple syrup, I love to use local maple syrup.

Espresso - A shot of espresso or 2 ounces of very strong coffee are needed to assemble a classic dirty chai latte.

If you have any questions about this Dirty Chai Latte, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you!

HOW TO MAKE A DIRTY CHAI LATTE STARBUCKS COPY CAT

1. First crush the cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, peppercorns in a mortar and pestle or using another method below. Place the crushed spices in a small pot with water, the ginger, cinnamon sticks and black tea.
2. Bring to a boil and turn the heat off. Immediately take out the black tea bags. Let stand for at least 20 minutes to steep.
3. Pour the mixture through a strainer to separate the grounds from the chai. 
4. Assemble the hot or iced chai latte using this chai milk tea, espresso, and vegan milk. Specific directions are below and in the recipe card.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the Dirty Chai Latte recipe below.

HOW TO CRUSH SPICES FOR CHAI LATTE?

If you aren't used to working with whole spices, you might be wondering what the best way to crush them is. Here are a few easy options:

1. Use a Mortar and Pestle - This is a traditional heavy-duty tool used to crush spices by pressing them and breaking them up. It's a very efficient tool for crushing small amounts of spices, and also works well for crushing garlic and spices for delicious savory recipes like Basil Pesto.
2. A Spice Grinder - This wouldn't be my first choice, but it does a great job of breaking the spices into small pieces quickly. Some people keep a small coffee grinder for this purpose, just don't use your spice grinder to grind coffee too. The flavors will mix!
3. Smash Them - Put your whole spices into a sturdy plastic zipper bag. Place the bag on a cutting board, and go at it with a small heavy frying pan, a flat meat mallet, or a rolling pin. This method is pretty fun actually.

HOW TO FROTH VEGAN MILK FOR LATTES

While it's not necessary to froth the milk when making this copycat chai latte, it does add a certain element that is really fun and makes the experience more authentic. Frothing or foaming vegan milk is simple, but it will be different depending on the type of vegan milk you choose!

Tip 1: Use a refrigerated non-dairy milk. These will froth better than the shelf-stable types.

Tip 2: For a good vegan milk froth, choose soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk. These three will aerate better than others. Oat milk makes amazing, creamy lattes.

Tip 3: Use a frothing tool. Your options range from inexpensive to very expensive, so choose a tool that matches your budget. I like to use a handheld milk frothing wand that cost about $15. An immersion blender can froth milk too.

Tip 4: Heat the milk. Warm the milk slightly on the stovetop or the microwave, especially if you are making a hot dirty chai latte. Warming vegan milk usually allows it to foam better, so you can warm it up to add to chilled chai lattes too.

HOW TO STORE DIRTY CHAI LATTE MIX

You can choose to enjoy your vegan chai latte immediately, or store it, without adding the milk, in an airtight container (i suggest a glass jar) in the fridge for up to a week. When you're ready, add the milk and espresso and enjoy hot or iced.

Make chai tea ice cubes with any leftovers. These can be added to cold brew coffee to add lots of sweet, spicy flavor.

THE BEST DIRTY CHAI LATTE RATIO

I've found that the most delicious ratio for a dirty chai latte is this:

1 shot of espresso to ½ cup of homemade Chai to ½ cup of dairy-free milk to 1 tablespoon of maple syrup.

That's my favorite chai drink, and I think it matches the dirty chai Starbucks makes. You can adjust the ratio to suit your own tastes.

IS A DIRTY CHAI LATTE HEALTHY?

This will depend on what type of healthy you mean. The spices used to make this chai latte recipe have been enjoyed around the world for many, many years and have been thought of as healing. Fresh ginger is a digestive calming food, and a bit of caffeine has been shown to be healthy in most situations too.

We've made this recipe vegan and dairy free, and it's suitable for gluten free diets as well. Swap out the maple syrup with a sugar free vegan sweetener to make this a low carb latte recipe if you'd like.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH A DIRTY CHAI LATTE

If you are looking for something hearty to pair with your Starbucks Copycat Dirty Chai Latte in the morning, a tofu scramble skillet is perfect. You can even double this Dirty Chai Latte recipe to make breakfast tomorrow —easier yet!

Start your day off right with banana chia pudding, which is meal prep friendly and a mug of our turmeric latte!

Like a breakfast that will stick with you a little longer through the day? Our vegan grits are simple to make and taste delicious too!

Maybe you just love the coffee flavor but you want something a little thicker? Try this coffee flavored ice cream!

You can bake with the flavors of a dirty chai latte, too! Try pumpkin chai glazed donuts. Want to try something new? Check out this Affogato. It's a fun twist that involves coffee and ice cream!

Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! If you make this recipe, I'd love for you to give it a quick review and star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, too!

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Dirty Chai Latte (Starbucks Copy Cat)

The Dirty Chai Latte is a popular drink that is served up at many coffee shops. We've created a vegan Dirty Chai Latte Starbucks CopyCat recipe that you can make at home for a fraction of the price!

Course beverage

Cuisine American

Keyword dirty chai latte, dirty chai latte starbucks

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

resting time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 128kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

• 1 Milk Frother
• 1 Saucepan
• 1 Strainer

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups non dairy milk
• 2 bags black tea
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cardamom pods
• 4 cloves
• 2-3 star anise
• 4 pepper corns
• 2-3 slices ginger
• 1-2 T maple syrup
• 1 shot espresso or strong brewed coffee

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• First crush the cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, peppercorns. Place the crushed spices in a small pot with 2 cups of water, ginger, cinnamon sticks and, black tea.
  
• Bring to a boil and turn the heat off. Immediately take out the black tea bags because it can get bitter. Let stand for at least 20 minutes or for several hours.
• Pour the mixture through a strainer to separate the grounds from the chai.
  
• Assemble the dirty chai latte: Place a ½ cup of the chai mixture together with ½ cup of vegetable milk, a shot of espresso, and one tablespoon of maple syrup. Stir to combine, adding more maple syrup or milk, if desired.
  

Notes

• The best ratio for a dirty chai latte is 1 shot espresso to ½ cup chai tea to ½ cup milk and 1 tablespoon sweetener. Feel free to adjust this to your own taste. 
• Dirty chai can be enjoyed hot or cold. For a hot latte, warm the tea mixture in the microwave or on the stove, and add hot milk. 
• A mortar and pestle do a great job of crushing whole spices for this recipe. You can also put the spices in a bag and crush them with a heavy object. 
• For an iced version, add the final mixture over a glass of ice. 

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 471IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 228mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Dirty Chai Latte (Starbucks CopyCat) appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

VEGAN PUMPKIN SPICED LATTE RECIPE

Coffee is a requirement in my life, and sometimes I like to dress it up!

These vegan pumpkin spiced lattes are so easy to make but feel so decadent and fancy! You only need a few basic pantry staples to add to your espresso. No expensive espresso machine is required for this latte recipe!

Fall is made for all things pumpkin (try pumpkin French toast), so why not add a little to your coffee? This latte recipe has both pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice for that perfect pumpkin pie flavor in liquid form!

INGREDIENTS IN VEGAN PUMPKIN SPICED LATTE

Non-dairy milk: I usually use almond milk for my latte, but cashew milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or even soy milk works, too!

Pumpkin puree: Be sure to use 100% pumpkin puree if you buy the canned version. You can also roast your own sugar pumpkins and make pumpkin puree at home.

Maple syrup: This adds the perfect plant-based sweetness to the glass. If you prefer a different sweetener, use it, but I love the fall flavor of maple syrup.

Vanilla extract: Everything is better with vanilla extract! It adds that subtle richness of vanilla with just a couple of drops.

Pumpkin pie spice: This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves adds that perfect fall spice to the mix. You can use any store-bought blend or make it yourself.

Espresso: You don't need any fancy equipment to make espresso. You can use a Moka pot or Aeropress for espresso, and these makers are less than $30! You can also use strong brewed coffee, too.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES

1. First, add the alt milk, pumpkin puree, and maple syrup to a sauce pot.
2. Then, stir together until it's fully combined over low heat. Whisk liquid for a few minutes until the milk is hot but not boiling.
3. Now, remove the pot from the heat, and add vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice.
4. Mix spices into the milk mixture until everything is incorporated.
5. Whisk the milk mixture until frothy and bubbly. This will take a few minutes. You can whisk by hand or use a milk frother.
6. To make the lattes, divide the espresso into 2 mugs.
7. Then, pour the frothed pumpkin spiced milk over the espresso slowly.
8. I like to serve mine with an extra sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice for extra flavor. Yum!

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH VEGAN PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES

Nothing pairs with a creamy coffee latte better than a crumbly coffee cake! Add this simple icing drizzle over the cinnamon streusel topping for the best sweet breakfast treat that's perfect for holiday mornings.

This tofu scramble looks JUST like scrambled eggs but is actually a great vegan breakfast alternative with the benefits of turmeric! Whip this up for brunch or as the base of a breakfast burrito!

Add some sweetness to your fall brunch menu with this super easy caramel apple French toast casserole. Assemble it the night before for an easy breakfast casserole recipe.

WHAT IS THE BEST NON-DAIRY MILK FOR LATTES?

You don't need dairy milk to make a frothy latte, I promise! It's all about the whisking.

I usually use almond milk in my coffee, so I often froth it for lattes, too! Oat milk is also a great option, so is soy milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk.

Whatever you use, be sure you whisk it for multiple minutes to get that extra bubbly topping.

OTHER VEGAN LATTE RECIPES

I LOVE lattes. Iced or hot, coffee or tea, I love them all equally.

This Iced Chai Tea Latte is a cold drink packed with sweet, warm spices! It's the perfect way to enjoy a chai latte on a warm day, or any time you're craving this spicy drink. This latte is dairy free, vegan, and amped up with a shot of espresso.

If you love matcha, you have to try this iced matcha latte. It's so refreshing and beautiful, too!

This turmeric coffee latte is great for fall mornings when you want a little nutrition in your coffee, too.

MORE AMAZING EASY RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

Vegan panna cotta is so decadent and creamy with just 6 ingredients and no gelatin! This amazing chocolate dessert comes together in just a few minutes to impress at your next party.

Air fryer donuts are bite-sized balls of dough and sugar with less fat than traditional donuts! This cinnamon sugar coating makes them irresistible.

This Spirulina smoothie is a great choice for a quick and easy breakfast! It is loaded with nutrients and is also vegan and gluten-free.

If you have a hard time deciding between pumpkin pie and cheesecake, these pumpkin-maple cheesecake bars are meant for you!

Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!

Be sure to tag @VegetarianMamma on Facebook or Instagram, if you share a picture on the gram! Let's get social, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or join our Facebook Group: Tasty Vegetarian Recipes

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Vegan Pumpkin Spiced Latte

This vegan latte recipe is just like Starbucks with non-dairy milk! You'll never wait in the drive-thru line again with this 6-ingredient recipe that's ready in minutes.

Course beverage, Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword copycat recipe, pumpkin spice latte, vegan latte recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 7 minutes minutes

Servings 2 servings

Calories 314kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

• Sauce pot
• Whisk
• Mugs

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups non-dairy milk almond, oat, cashew, or coconut
• ¼ cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 shots espresso or ½ cup very strong coffee

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan, add non-dairy milk, pumpkin puree, and maple syrup.
  
• Whisk and heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until milk is hot, but not boiling.
  
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Continue whisking until frothy.
  
• Divide the hot espresso between 2 mugs.
  
• Pour the pumpkin spice milk mixture over the top of each mug. Serve with an additional sprinkle of pumpkin spice if desired. 
  

Notes

• If you do not have an espresso machine, you can use ½ cup very strong coffee in its place. You can also use instant espresso powder mixed with boiling water. 
• I like oat milk or almond milk for this recipe, but you can use your favorite non-dairy milk. If your milk is already sweetened, you may want to cut back on the maple syrup in the recipe. 

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 1935mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 5463IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 344mg | Iron: 3mg

The post Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Why This Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe is So Good

• It's made with dairy-free milk, and you can choose your favorite type. I like to use almond milk or oat milk, but any milk-like beverage works!
• Vegan marshmallows are a must if you want to get the full hot chocolate experience, without any animal products. Trader Joe's sells vegan mini marshmallows, or you can order Dandies marshmallows online.
• We're making this dairy-free hot chocolate a decadent double-chocolate treat! Both unsweetened cocoa powder and vegan chocolate chips are stirred into the mix.

Tips and Tricks for Making The Most Delicious Vegan Hot Chocolate

• This recipe serves 3-4 people, depending on the size of your mugs. Feel free to scale the recipe up or down as needed though.
• For parties, make a big batch of hot cocoa, then transfer it to a small crockpot to keep it warm. Be sure to stir well when serving. 
• If you can't find vegan marshmallows, top your hot chocolate with a drizzle of melted chocolate, chocolate sauce, or a dollop of coconut whipped cream.
• Adjust the sweetness if needed. Some vegan chocolate chips are less sweet than others. I usually taste the cocoa before I serve it, and add a bit more sugar if I need to.

Vegan Hot Chocolate Variations

Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate - Stir in ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract with the vanilla extract.

Raspberry Hot Chocolate - Add 2 tablespoons of raspberry syrup or raspberry liqueur at the very end.

Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate - Stir in a pinch each of cayenne pepper and ground cinnamon.

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate - Add a few tablespoons of my pumpkin spice syrup!

Vegan Nut Butter Hot Chocolate - 1-2 tablespoons of melted peanut butter, almond butter, or Nutella can be whisked into the hot cocoa, or you can drizzle it over each mug.

More Hot Drink Recipes

• Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Blueberry Milk
• Dirty Chai Latte
• Lavender Latte
• Oat Milk Latte
• Turmeric Latte (with or without coffee)
• Vegan Horchata

Take a look at all of our beverage recipes! You'll find coffees, smoothies, juices, and more, all with vegan and dairy-free options.

Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey, if you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review and star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, too!

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Vegan Hot Chocolate

Rich and chocolatey, this vegan hot chocolate with marshmallows is made on the stove in less than 10 minutes with all-natural ingredients.

Course beverage

Cuisine American

Keyword vegan hot chocolate

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 7 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 170kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

• medium saucepan
• Whisk

Ingredients

• 3 cups unsweetened almond milk or other non-dairy milk of choice
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or sweetener of choice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• pinch salt
• vegan marshmallows for topping, optional

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan, add the almond milk, cocoa powder, vegan chocolate chips, and granulated sugar. Whisk to combine.
  
• Turn the heat to medium and whisk as the mixture warms and the chocolate chips melt.
  
• Once the chocolate chips have melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
  
• Pour into mugs and top with vegan marshmallows.
  

Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/IIdQBrgUQkg

Notes

• This recipe will serve 3-4 depending on how big your mugs are. You can scale the recipe up or down, depending on your needs. 
• For parties, make a big batch and keep the hot cocoa warm in a small crockpot. Be sure to stir well when serving. 
• Instead of vegan marshmallows, you can top the hot chocolate with a drizzle of melted chocolate, peanut butter, or a dollop of vegan coconut whipped cream.
• If your vegan chocolate chips are not very sweet, you may want to add more sugar to the mixture. I like to taste and adjust the sweetness of the hot chocolate before serving.
• Feel free to add other flavorings to turn this hot chocolate into a gourmet beverage. 

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Calcium: 258mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Vegan Hot Chocolate appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

VEGAN HORCHATA RECIPE

If you aren't familiar with Horchata, you are in for a real treat! Horchata is a cold beverage made from rice and milk, flavored with cinnamon and sweeteners to be enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat.

This recipe comes to us originally from Spain, and has traveled to to Mexico, Latin America, and is even enjoyed in parts of Africa. The recipe has evolved over the years and is made differently in different places. The name horchata is given to any type of plant-based beverage, and can be made from nuts, grains, seeds, or fruit.

The vegan horchata recipe I'm teaching you today is based on a Mexican version, sometimes called Horchata de arroz, or horchata from rice. The base of this sweet drink is white rice, which we'll soak and blend to make a frothy, creamy, rice milk mixed with maple syrup for sweetness and cinnamon for a warm, flavorful kick.

If you love sweet, cold drinks, you should try making my easy Iced Chai Tea Latte too!

IS HORCHATA VEGAN?

Not usually! Horchata is vegetarian though, and It is easy to make a few simple swaps and create this vegan horchata recipe that is just as sweet and creamy as the original.

Horchata can be enjoyed hot or cold, but today I'm showing you how to make a cold horchata drink that's made with natural ingredients and is an excellent breakfast drink or an afternoon pick-me-up.

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN HORCHATA

White Rice - Uncooked white rice is the main ingredient in our Vegan Horchata. I suggest rinsing your rice before starting to wash away any impurities.

Water - Rice is soaked in water so that all the starchy goodness can come out of it to create this creamy and delicious beverage.

Ground Cinnamon - The traditional flavoring for rice horchata is cinnamon, and it's so tasty!

Almond Milk - White not entirely necessary, I find that adding almond milk to the rice milk makes a thicker, more appealing drink. You can use any plant-based milk that you like. Oat milk or Cashew milk are great options too.

Maple Syrup - Maple syrup is my vegan sweetener of choice for beverages. See below for some other options I suggest.

Vanilla Extract - a small amount of vanilla makes vegan horchata comforting and delicious.

If you have any questions about making Vegan Horchata, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN HORCHATA

Making homemade horchata is really easy, and doesn't even require any cooking. Leave yourself a day to make this, as it does require an overnight soaking in the fridge.

1. Add the uncooked white rice, ground cinnamon, and water to a blender and mix until smooth. This should take at least three minutes in the blender.
2. Allow the blended mixture to sit overnight in the refrigerator, or for at least 8 hours. I typically leave it in the blender pitcher, but you can also transfer it to another container with a lid.
3. The next day, strain the liquid into a bowl using a nut milk bag or a fine mesh strainer. You can discard the solids.
4. Add the maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
5. Mix well to combine.
6. Serve your finished Horchata cold, over ice. Garnish with a whole cinnamon stick or a dash of cinnamon.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes.

VARIATIONS FOR VEGAN HORCHATA

Vegan Horchata, also called Agua de Horchata can be made in a variety of ways. The sweetener you use and the amount that you add is the main way to adjust the flavor of your vegan horchata.

Sweetener options:

I like to use a liquid sweetener because it's then very easy to get it to blend in with the rice milk without adding any heat. Vegan liquid sweetener options include maple syrup, agave nectar, golden syrup, brown rice syrup, and stevia if you're looking for a sugar free option.

You can use granulated sweeteners as well, but you should add them in with the rice while it soaks so that they can dissolve slowly. Try regular white sugar, cane sugar, coconut sugar, or date sugar.

Add any amount of sweetener to your horchata that you enjoy. The amount in the recipe is a suggestion and makes a lightly sweetened drink.

VEGAN HORCHATA FLAVORS

The flavor of horchata with cinnamon is pretty darn perfect, but we can take perfection a step further to make one of these tasty alternatives:

• Strawberry Horchata: For a fruity drink, after you've strained the rice from the horchata, add it back to a blender with a handful of ripe strawberries, then strain again before adding the almond milk and sweetener. This method can be used with other fruits too. Try bananas, peaches, or pineapple.
• Coconut Horchata: Instead of adding almond milk, add canned coconut milk to create a tropical version of this cool drink.
• Coffee Horchata: Swap out the almond milk for the same amount of cold brew coffee to make a buzzy caffeinated drink.
• Almond and Rice Horchata: Swap out some of the rice with the same weight of raw almonds. You'll soak both together in water overnight and strain in the morning. This drink will have extra nutrients and a nutty flavor.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH VEGAN HORCHATA

Horchata is the perfect accompaniment to any Mexican style feast!

Try an icy horchata with Mexican Tater Tot Casserole or Air Fryer Mexican Corn on the Cob.

WHAT TOOLS DO I NEED TO MAKE HORCHATA?

Blender: To properly and easily make horchata, you'll need a blender to grind the rice with water. Any blender should be able to handle this, but you may get smoother results using a high powered blender such as a Vitamix or a Blendtec. If your have a small blender, like a Nutribullet, you may need to blend the rice in two batches.

Strainer: We'll strain the solids out of the rice water mixture to get a smooth creamy drink. You can do this with a nut milk strainer bag which is designed specifically for tasks like this, or you can use a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth.

CAN I MAKE THIS WITH BROWN RICE?

I haven't tried making vegan horchata with brown rice. I think that you could try, but the flavor will not be quite as light. You may not be able to blend the brown rice as well as the white rice since it's firmer. If you have trouble, soak the rice first, then blend after it sits overnight.

CAN I MAKE HORCHATA WITH SHORT OR MEDIUM RICE?

Long grain white rice is preferred when making horchata. Shorter grain rice has a higher starch content, which will effect the texture of your drink, so it should be avoided.

WHAT ABOUT JASMINE RICE OR BASMATI RICE?

Long grain versions of either of these types of rice can be used to make horchata. Jasmine and Basmati both have lovely flavors, which will transfer to your drink.

DO YOU RINSE RICE BEFORE MAKING HORCHATA?

I do recommend rinsing rice before cooking with it and suggest that you rise your rice thoroughly before using it to make horchata.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEXICAN HORCHATA AND SPANISH HORCHATA?

This recipe is for Mexican horchata, which is a plant-based beverage made from rice, while a traditional Spanish horchata is made with tiger nuts. Tiger nuts aren't very common in the United States, although they are available and sold mostly as a health food. They're expensive, so I don't think I'll be making a tiger nut horchata version soon. Making horchata with rice is much more budget-friendly!

DOES HORCHATA HAVE ALCOHOL IN IT?

You can make a cocktail of sorts using horchata if you want to. The creaminess and cinnamon flavor of horchata mixes well with dark rum. If you've had RumChata liqueur, it's based on a rum and horchata cocktail mixture. Otherwise, on its own, horchata is a non-alcoholic beverage.

Another alcoholic horchata drink, popular throughout Latin America, is called a "dirty horchata" This drink features horchata topped off with cinnamon, coffee, and a splash of either dark rum or Kahlua.

CAN I ENJOY HORCHATA HOT?

You can! Heat your horchata on the stovetop or in the microwave until it's warm enough to drink. A hot horchata is delicious on a snowy day after sledding or while curled up on the couch.

MORE HEALTHY VEGAN DRINKS

I love making my own healthy drinks at home to save money and keep them fresh! Try one of these recipes next.

Strawberry Almond Milk is a sweet treat that kids and adults alike go nuts for. It reminds me of the strawberry milk we had as kids, but it's much better for you.

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Vegan Horchata

A sweet creamy drink made from rice is delicious, comforting, and so simple to make. Vegan Horchata will be your new favorite plant-based specialty drink!

Course drink

Cuisine American

Keyword vegan horchata

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Soaking/Chilling Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 128kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

• Blender
• Nut Milk Bag or fine mesh strainer

Ingredients

• ½ cup white rice uncooked, and rinsed
• 3 cups water
• 1 to 2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup almond milk or other plant-based milk
• ⅛ to ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Add the uncooked white rice, ground cinnamon, and water to a blender and mix until smooth. This should take at least three minutes in the blender.
• Allow the blended mixture to sit overnight in the refrigerator, or for at least 8 hours.
• The next day, strain the liquid into a bowl using a nut milk bag or a fine mesh strainer. You can discard the solids.
• Add the maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla extract. Mix well to combine.
• Serve your finished Horchata cold, over ice. Garnish with a whole cinnamon stick or a dash of cinnamon.

Notes

• The amount of sweetener and cinnamon that you add can be based on your preferences. Feel free to use a different vegan sweetener if you prefer. Using a liquid sweetener makes it easier to combine all of the ingredients without adding any heat. 
• A nut milk bag is a great tool for drinks like this one and does a great job of straining out all of the solids. 

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 1mg

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