This Berry Horchata is a fun twist on the classic Mexican drink! Fresh berries, rice, cinnamon, and sugar skull sugar cubes make this a great addition to your Día de los Muertos celebrations!
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through October! The leaves have pretty much completed their change here in Maine and will begin to fall shortly. And the end of the month kicks off a season full of celebrations, including one that is often overlooked here in the Northeast, but is such a cool holiday I couldn’t help but put a few things together for it, Día de los Muertos.
Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a holiday of Spanish and Mexican origins that is observed on November 1st and 2nd to celebrate death and the deceased. The holiday covers two days so that they may welcome the souls of the children on the first (the day of the innocents) and those of the adults on the second. Generations ago, this Aztec celebration took place over a month but when the Spanish came the holiday became intertwined with All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Now that the history lesson is over, let’s get to the fun stuff!
Speaking of drinks, that’s just how we’re kicking things off! Horchata is a traditional Mexican drink made from rice and cinnamon, but today we’re making it with a bit of a non-traditional twist. We’re adding juicy ripe berries for even more flavor and gorgeous color! The vibrant berries muddle beautifully with the soft flavors from the rice and the spice from the cinnamon. Add a sugar skull sugar cube to each drink for the perfect finish!
Ingredients
Sugar Cubes:
- 1 cup Zulka Pure Cane Sugar
- 1 tsp Water
Horchata:
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice
- 1 Cinnamon Stick broken up a bit
- 8 cups Water divided
- 2 cups Fresh Berries of choice Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Blackberry
- 1/2 cup Zulka Pure Cane Sugar
- Cinnamon for garnish
- Cinnamon Sticks for garnish
Instructions
Sugar Cubes:
- Combine sugar and water in a small bowl and press into Sugar Skull molds, let set overnight to take shape.
Horchata:
- Add rice, cinnamon stick, and 4 cups water to a blender and pulse until a coarse mix forms.
- Transfer to a large bowl and add remaining water, let soak for 3 hours.
- Add back into blender in two batches, adding a cup of berries to each, blending until a smooth fine puree forms.
- Strain mixture through a cheesecloth into a large pitcher.
- Stir in sugar and place in the fridge to chill before serving.
- Garnish with Cinnamon and Cinnamon Stick and a Sugar Skull Sugar Cubes for serving.
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Comments & Reviews
Maria Magdalena says
I just hear about horchata. But it look delicious. I pinned at the Pinterest board. Thank you for your participation at Tasty Tuesday Creative K Kids.
lana says
I love horchata and made some for a taco dinner and no one drank it except for me. SIGH. Cheers from kid can doodle!
Denise Wright says
This looks crazy good! So pretty too. I love the flavor combination and those sugar skulls are awesome!
Stephanie | The Foodie and The Fix says
I’ve never had horchata but I’ve always wanted to try it! This berry version sounds fantastic!
Nicole Torres says
That looks amazingly delicious. Great photos
Kristen from Practical Mommy says
This looks amazing. And the little sugar skull sugar cubes are just adorable!
Yona Williams says
Those sugar skull cubes are too cute – love them! I would love to make this drink, minus the cinnamon.
lexie says
OMG these look so incredibly yummy! I would love to give this a try!
Shelly says
Berry horchata…yum! Never would have thought to combine the two flavors 🙂
I’m celebrating DDLM this year by showing my kids how to make pan de muerto and set up an ofrenda.
CourtneyLynne says
Oooo this drink sounds pretty tasty! I must give your recipe a try sometime!
Jenn says
This sounds delicious! I love horchata and am suddenly inspired to make this for my upcoming Halloween party. Maybe thinning it into a punch with some soda water? Hmmm….
Michelle @ Sunshine and Hurricanes.com says
So creative, making your own themed sugar skulls! Love the bright colors on that drink, too!