Enjoy the flavor without the guilt with this yummy No Sugar Added Horchata recipe.
If you’ve never had horchata, this sweet rice drink is a real taste experience.
Delicious and creamy, this tasty beverage can also be quite healthy if you make it right.
And this No Sugar Added Horchata recipe is just right in every way.
Not only is it much healthier than some of the overly sweet, white-sugar based Horchata recipes out there.
But, I personally think that it tastes much better, too.
Enjoy a No Sugar Added Horchata Recipe
There is no white sugar in this recipe. Rather, it is sweetened with delicious Medjool dates and honey.
Combined with the flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and almonds, the dates and honey form an intoxicating and sophisticated flavor profile that is earthy, decadent, and irresistible.
Once you taste this, you may never go back to Horchata made with white sugar again.
This scrumptious beverage is warm and comforting, especially on a chilly day.
Like hot cocoa, there are just times in life when you want to curl up around a large mug of something wonderful, and this Healthier Horchata definitely fits the bill.
It is also a fun beverage to serve for Christmas parties, after caroling, or for holiday brunch.
You can also serve it chilled to enjoy when the weather is warm!
And just between you and me, once you taste this, you may find good reasons to make some No Sugar Added Horchata every day!
Ingredients to make No Sugar Added Horchata
Note: Traditional horchata recipes are often incredibly sweet.
In fact, many recipes call for more white sugar than rice.
This less sweet, but significantly healthier, version skips the white sugar completely.
Instead it relies on the natural sweetness of Medjool dates and honey.
In fact, a lot of people refer to a recipe for a lighter horchata as a date-sweetened horchata.
Ingredients:
1 c. long-grain white rice, rinsed and thoroughly drained
1 small organic cinnamon stick
6 c. water, divided
1 c. almond milk
1/3 c. Medjool dates, pitted
2-3 T. honey, preferably local
1 t. vanilla extract
½ c. raw almonds
Optional garnish:
4 long cinnamon sticks
Ground cinnamon
How to Make No Sugar Added Horchata:
Add rice, organic cinnamon stick, and 4 cups of very warm water to a medium-sized bowl.
Let soak overnight at room temperature, or until the rice softens and the cinnamon stick is soft enough to break into several smaller pieces.
Transfer the rice mixture to a high-powered blender and blend to combine.
Add 2 cups cold water, almond milk, dates, 2 tablespoons honey, vanilla extract, and almonds.
Blend until thoroughly combined and no large solids remain.
Taste and add additional honey, if desired.
Strain contents of blender with a fine-weave mesh strainer and 1-2 layers of cheesecloth.
When finished, discard remaining solids in the strainer and transfer the reserved liquid to a pitcher or other container.
Refrigerate until chilled, or serve immediately over ice with whole cinnamon sticks or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, for garnish. Enjoy!
If you enjoy Christmas themed and seasonal cocktails, you may enjoy these recipes too:
If you love our No Sugar Added Horchata recipe, you may also enjoy some of these drinks too!
Sparkling Honey Cranberry Ginger Punch
Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Coffee
Chocolate Covered Cherry Martini
Chocolate Covered Raspberry Martini
Highland Whiskey Hot Chocolate
try it and share!
Please let us know how you enjoy our No Sugar Added Horchata recipe.
If you make it yourself, please let us know on Pinterest that you tried it and tag us with #champagneandcoconuts on your Instagram photo.
If you haven’t had a chance to make it yet, be sure to save the recipe on Pinterest so you’ll remember where you found it.
You may enjoy following our Pinterest Board, Christmas Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes.
No Sugar Added Horchata
Ingredients
- 1 c. long-grain white rice rinsed and thoroughly drained
- 1 small organic cinnamon stick
- 6 c. water divided
- 1 c. almond milk
- ⅓ c. Medjool dates pitted
- 2-3 T. honey preferably local
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- ½ c. raw almonds
- 4 long cinnamon sticks optional, garnish
- Ground cinnamon optional, garnish
Instructions
- Add rice, organic cinnamon stick, and 4 cups of very warm water to a medium-sized bowl. Let soak overnight at room temperature, or until the rice softens and the cinnamon stick is soft enough to break into several smaller pieces.
- Transfer the rice mixture to a high-powered blender and blend to combine. Add 2 cups cold water, almond milk, dates, 2 tablespoons honey, vanilla extract, and almonds. Blend until thoroughly combined and no large solids remain. Taste and add additional honey, if desired.
- Strain contents of blender with a fine-weave mesh strainer and 1-2 layers of cheesecloth. When finished, discard remaining solids in the strainer and transfer the reserved liquid to a pitcher or other container.
- Refrigerate until chilled, or serve immediately over ice with whole cinnamon sticks or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, for garnish. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Jennifer. I love to cook and entertain. I have a lot of fun sharing traditional food and drink recipes as well as putting a new spin on the classics. I strive to provide easy to make recipes that are perfect for the home cook, bartender and entertainer.
I love horchata, but the calories. This was so good, and it was nice to know that it wasn’t quite as heavy as a lot of horchata recipes with all the extra sugar.