Name: A Cr Recipe
Prep time: 4 h
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 4 h 10 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 cup long-grain rice; 2 cinnamon sticks; 4 cups water (divided); 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Ice cubes for serving

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a drink that’s creamy, sweet, and lightly spiced, A Cr is about to become your new favorite indulgence! This classic horchata recipe brings the comforting flavors of rice and cinnamon together in a velvety, refreshing beverage that’s perfect for any time of year. Each sip of A Cr offers nostalgia and surprise, and the best part? You can whip it up at home with just a handful of pantry staples. Whether enjoyed ice-cold on a sunny afternoon or as a sweet treat to end a meal, A Cr truly delivers a little magic in every glass.

Ingredients You’ll Need

With only a few simple but essential ingredients, each playing a starring role, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to achieve that signature flavor and creamy texture. Don’t skip or sub anything — every item here works wonders for A Cr!

Long-grain rice: The heart of A Cr, providing the smooth, subtle base and authentic mouthfeel.
Cinnamon sticks: Infuse the soak with warm, fragrant spice that defines true horchata flavor.
Water (divided): Blends with the rice for the creamy texture, and helps extract the flavors during soaking and blending.
Sweetened condensed milk: Adds luscious sweetness and velvety body, a key part of what makes A Cr so irresistible.
Vanilla extract: A tiny splash brings a gentle floral twist that rounds out the cinnamon and rice.
Ice cubes: Keeps A Cr chilled for maximum refreshment — a must for serving!

How to Make A Cr

Step 1: Soak the Rice and Cinnamon

Begin your A Cr adventure by rinsing your rice under cold water until the water runs clear — this removes excess starch for a smoother texture. Add the rinsed rice and cinnamon sticks to a bowl with 2 cups of water. For the most flavor, let the rice soak for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better, and builds wonderful depth in your final horchata).

Step 2: Blend It All Together

Once your rice and cinnamon have had their water bath, remove the cinnamon sticks. Next, pour the rice and soaking water into your blender, adding another 2 cups of fresh water. Blend until the mixture is as smooth as you can get it — the rice should be broken down thoroughly, giving A Cr its signature creamy look.

Step 3: Strain for Smoothness

To achieve that silky-smooth finish, pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or a double layer of cheesecloth into a large pitcher. Don’t rush this part! Gently stir and press the mixture to extract as much liquid as possible. The result should be a luscious, opaque liquid ready for the final sweet touches.

Step 4: Sweeten and Flavor

Now comes the magic moment: stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Taste and adjust the sweetness or vanilla to suit your style. This step transforms the base into a truly delectable A Cr, with a beautiful balance of creamy and spiced notes.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Let your horchata chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour so all the flavors meld and the drink becomes deliciously cold. Just before serving, give A Cr a good stir, then pour over plenty of ice cubes for the ultimate thirst-quencher. Garnish with a dusting of ground cinnamon if you’re feeling festive!

How to Serve A Cr

Garnishes

For a classic finish, a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top of your poured A Cr adds both beauty and extra aroma. You can also get creative with a cinnamon stick stirrer or a touch of nutmeg for depth. Even a few grains of rice on the rim can hint at the drink’s roots — presentation counts!

Side Dishes

A Cr is refreshingly versatile and pairs beautifully with lots of dishes. Try it with spicy tacos, savory tamales, or a breakfast pastry like a buttery concha. The creamy, sweet notes act as a cooling counterpoint to bolder flavors or spicy heat, making A Cr a dream at potlucks or family dinners.

Creative Ways to Present

Set up a DIY A Cr bar at your next party, letting guests add their own cinnamon or vanilla, or even spike individual glasses with a hint of espresso for a grown-up twist! Serving A Cr in mason jars with striped straws or in clear glasses to show off its color always gets rave reviews — and a wide grin or two.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with some leftover A Cr (lucky you!), simply store it in a sealed pitcher or jar in the fridge. Give it a quick stir before pouring, as the rice solids can settle over time. Enjoy within 3–4 days for the freshest flavor and texture.

Freezing

Want to make A Cr far in advance? It freezes surprisingly well! Pour it into ice cube trays, then transfer the cubes to a zip bag and store for up to two months. To serve, just blend the cubes with a splash of milk for a frosty A Cr slushie treat.

Reheating

While A Cr is best served cold, if you’d like it slightly warm on chilly days, gently heat it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Don’t let it come to a boil, as this can change its texture. Just a gentle warm-up is enough for creamy comfort.

FAQs

Can I make A Cr dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the sweetened condensed milk for your favorite non-dairy alternative, like coconut sweetened condensed milk or a little extra sugar plus almond or oat milk. You’ll still get that dreamy A Cr taste without any dairy.

How sweet should A Cr be?

This really comes down to personal preference. Traditional horchata tends to be quite sweet, but you can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less condensed milk, or even using regular sugar instead. Just taste and tweak until it’s perfect for you.

Why do I need to soak the rice for A Cr?

Soaking the rice not only softens it for blending, but also helps the flavors of rice and cinnamon infuse into the water. The longer the soak, the creamier and more flavorful your finished A Cr will be — it’s worth the patience!

Can I use ground cinnamon instead of sticks?

Sticks are definitely best for infusing flavor without turning the horchata gritty, but in a pinch you can add ground cinnamon during blending. Just be sure to strain extra thoroughly to avoid any chalky texture in your A Cr.

How do I prevent my A Cr from separating?

Some settling of rice solids is natural, but a good stir before serving usually brings your A Cr back together. If you want an ultra-smooth finish, try straining twice, or letting it sit undisturbed then pouring off the top liquid and leaving any thick residue behind.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about A Cr, and making it at home is far easier than you might think. I hope you’ll give this simple, classic recipe a try — taste it, share it, and let A Cr become a new tradition in your kitchen. Cheers to delicious memories in every glass!

A Cr Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 29 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Learn how to make a refreshing horchata with this easy recipe. Made with rice, cinnamon, and sweetened condensed milk, this traditional Mexican drink is perfect for cooling down on a hot day.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

1 cup long-grain rice
2 cinnamon sticks
4 cups water (divided)
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Ice cubes for serving

Instructions

Rinse the Rice: Under cold water, rinse the rice until clear. Soak in a bowl with 2 cups of water and cinnamon sticks for at least 4 hours (overnight preferred).
Blend the Rice: Remove cinnamon sticks and blend rice mixture with an additional 2 cups of fresh water until smooth.
Strain the Mixture: Strain the blended mixture into a pitcher using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
Add Sweeteners: Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract; adjust sweetness to taste.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving over ice cubes. Garnish with ground cinnamon if desired.

Notes

You can customize the sweetness of the horchata by adjusting the amount of sweetened condensed milk.
For a vegan version, you can use sweetened condensed coconut milk.

Prep Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Beverage
Method: Blend, Strain, Stir
Cuisine: Mexican