Date-Sweetened Horchata

Name: Horchata Pemanis Kurma
Prep time: 140 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 6 porsi
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 3/4 cup long grain white rice; 6 cups water ((divided)); 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk ((or sub light coconut or rice milk)); 1/2 - 3/4 cup pitted medjool or deglet noor dates ((depending on desired sweetness)); 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1 whole cinnamon stick*

Dates replace sugar in this healthier version of homemade horchata. Hints of cinnamon and vanilla pop through in each sip — perfectly refreshing on a warm day.

⏱️ 140 min 🔪 Prep: 140 min 📊 Hard 👁️ 2 views

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Foto: Minimalist Baker — Minimalist Baker

Ingredients

6 servings

3/4 cup long grain white rice
6 cups water ((divided))
1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk ((or sub light coconut or rice milk))
1/2 - 3/4 cup pitted medjool or deglet noor dates ((depending on desired sweetness))
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 whole cinnamon stick*

Steps

Soak rice in 2 cups very hot (not boiling water) for 2 hours (amount as original recipe is written // use 1/3 of the total water if altering batch size). The rice should be soft but still very raw - you should be able to snap a piece in half with your fingernail without much effort. Drain and add to a blender.
Add 4 cups water (amount as original recipe is written // use 2/3 of the total water if altering batch size), dates, vanilla, and the cinnamon stick, top with lid and cover with a towel to ensure it doesn't splash. Blend for about 1 minute until the date specks are very small and the mixture seems well combined. It doesn't have to be 100% pulverized.
Scoop out a small sample with a spoon to test sweetness. If it's not sweet enough, add more dates (or honey if not vegan).
In two batches, pour the mixture over a bowl or pitcher covered with cheesecloth, a nut milk bag, very thin towel, or a clean t-shirt or clean pair of panty hose (a tip I learned from My New Roots). I wrapped a rubberband around my bowl to ensure it didn't come loose, but this isn't necessary.
Strain the mixture until only pulp remains in the cloth, squeezing to get every last drop out. It will take a little effort depending on how pulverized your pulp is. Rinse out cloth and set aside for washing.
Next, stir in almond milk (optional), whisk and transfer to mason jars or a large beverage container with a lid. Chill and serve over ice. Will keep in the fridge for several days.