Horchata popsicles are a refreshing twist on the classic Mexican drink, horchata. Made with simple ingredients like rice, almonds, and milk, this sweet treat is perfect for those hot summer days. The great thing about making these at home is that you can control the sweetness and consistency, making it as creamy or as icy as you want.
Most of the ingredients for these horchata popsicles are pantry staples like rice and almonds. You might need to check for evaporated and condensed milk, as they aren't as commonly used. They can usually be found in the canned goods section of most supermarkets. Don't forget to grab some popsicle molds if you don't already have them at home!
Ingredients for Homemade Horchata Popsicles
Rice: Gives the horchata its unique grainy texture and subtly sweet flavor.
Almonds: Adds a nutty flavor to the horchata and also thickens it.
Ground cinnamon: Provides a warm, spiced flavor to the popsicles.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Evaporated milk: Adds creaminess to the popsicles.
Almond milk: Gives the popsicles a light almond flavor and aids in freezing.
Water: Serves as the base of the horchata.
Condensed milk: Sweetens the horchata and makes the popsicles creamy.
One reader, Edin Avina says:
These homemade horchata popsicles are a game-changer! The creamy texture and subtle sweetness make them a refreshing treat. The recipe is easy to follow, and the result is absolutely delicious. I love how the flavors blend perfectly, making it a delightful summer indulgence. Highly recommended!
Techniques Required for Making Homemade Horchata Popsicles
How to prepare the rice mixture: Soak the rice, almonds, and cinnamon stick in water overnight or for at least 3 hours. Then blend the mixture until the rice is just broken up.
How to strain the rice mixture: After soaking, strain the rice mixture and reserve the water. Then blend the rice mixture with evaporated milk until smooth, and strain the resulting liquid, discarding any remnants.
How to incorporate the ingredients: Whisk in the condensed milk and vanilla extract, then add the almond milk and the reserved rice water to the mixture.
How to freeze the popsicles: Pour the horchata mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 6 hours or until frozen.
How to serve: Once frozen, remove the popsicles from the molds and enjoy!
How To Make Homemade Horchata Pops
These creamy and refreshing horchata pops are the perfect dessert for hot summer days. A frozen sweet blend of rice, almonds, and milk.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1cuprice,uncooked
- ½cupalmonds,sliced
- ½tspground cinnamon
- ½tbspvanilla extract
- 12ozevaporated milk
- 1½cupsalmond milk
- 4cupswater
- 6ozcondensed milk
Instructions
-
In a blender, combine rice, almonds, and 1 cinnamon stick. Blend until rice is just broken up. Transfer rice mixture to a bowl, soak in water overnight or at least 3 hours.
-
Strain rice mixture and reserve water. In a blender, combine rice mixture and evaporated milk. Blend until smooth. Strain resulting liquid, discard remnants.
-
Whisk in condensed milk and vanilla. Add almond milk and reserved rice water.
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Pour horchata into popsicle mold. Freeze for 6 hours or until frozen.
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Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 182.82kcal
- Fat: 6.78g
- Saturated Fat: 2.44g
- Trans Fat: 0.00g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.79g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.22g
- Carbohydrates: 25.23g
- Fiber: 0.98g
- Sugar: 10.89g
- Protein: 5.57g
- Cholesterol: 13.04mg
- Sodium: 72.79mg
- Calcium: 194.35mg
- Potassium: 217.51mg
- Iron: 0.55mg
- Vitamin A: 28.93µg
- Vitamin C: 0.91mg
Helpful Technique for Making Homemade Horchata Popsicles
When making these horchata popsicles, it's important to ensure that the rice and almonds are thoroughly blended and soaked. This process helps to extract the flavors and create a smoother texture. If your blender isn't powerful enough to break down the rice and almonds completely, consider using a food processor for this step. Additionally, when straining the mixture, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to ensure that no solid pieces remain. This will result in a smoother, creamier popsicle.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Homemade Horchata Popsicles
Prep ahead: Soak the rice and almonds overnight to save time the next day. This will allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to blend more easily.
Blender efficiency: Use a high-powered blender to ensure the rice and almonds are finely ground in one go, saving time on blending and straining.
Quick freeze: To expedite the freezing process, place the popsicle molds in the coldest part of the freezer and avoid opening the freezer door frequently.
Batch preparation: Make a larger batch of horchata and freeze multiple popsicles at once to have them ready for future enjoyment.
Efficient pouring: Use a funnel to pour the horchata mixture into the popsicle molds, ensuring a mess-free and efficient process.
Chill ingredients: Chill the horchata mixture in the refrigerator before pouring it into the popsicle molds to speed up the freezing process.
Easy removal: Dip the popsicle molds in warm water for a few seconds to easily release the horchata popsicles from the molds.
Substitute Ingredients For Homemade Horchata Pops Recipe
rice - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa can be used as a gluten-free alternative to rice, and it adds a nutty flavor and a slightly different texture to the horchata popsicles.
almonds - Substitute with cashews: Cashews have a similar creamy texture and mild nutty flavor, making them a suitable substitute for almonds in this recipe.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg can be used as a substitute for cinnamon to add warm, spicy notes to the horchata popsicles.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract can provide a similar sweet, nutty flavor to the popsicles, complementing the other ingredients.
evaporated milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk can add a rich, creamy texture and a hint of tropical flavor to the popsicles, making it a great alternative to evaporated milk.
almond milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk has a creamy consistency and a slightly sweet flavor, making it a suitable substitute for almond milk in this recipe.
water - Substitute with coconut water: Coconut water can add a subtle sweetness and a refreshing taste to the popsicles, enhancing the overall flavor.
condensed milk - Substitute with sweetened condensed coconut milk: Sweetened condensed coconut milk can provide a similar creamy sweetness to the popsicles, while also adding a hint of coconut flavor.
Presentation Ideas for Homemade Horchata Popsicles
Elevate the popsicle mold: Place the popsicle mold on a bed of crushed ice to keep the horchata popsicles chilled and visually appealing.
Garnish with cinnamon dust: Sprinkle a fine dusting of ground cinnamon on the serving plate to add a touch of elegance and aroma to the presentation.
Incorporate edible flowers: Adorn the plate with delicate, edible flowers such as hibiscus or lavender to add a pop of color and a subtle floral note to the presentation.
Drizzle with condensed milk reduction: Create a condensed milk reduction and carefully drizzle it around the popsicle on the plate for a visually stunning and indulgent touch.
Serve with almond tuile: Accompany the horchata popsicle with a delicate almond tuile for an added textural element and a touch of sophistication.
Present on a chilled marble slab: Serve the horchata popsicle on a chilled marble slab to maintain its frozen state and create an elegant, upscale presentation.
Use gold leaf accents: For a luxurious touch, delicately place edible gold leaf accents on the plate to elevate the overall visual appeal of the horchata popsicle.
Add a touch of citrus: Garnish the plate with a zesty twist of lime or orange peel to provide a refreshing and vibrant contrast to the creamy horchata popsicle.
Essential Tools for Making Horchata Popsicles at Home
Blender: A kitchen appliance used to mix, purée, or emulsify food and other substances.
Strainer: A device used for separating wanted elements from unwanted material or for draining liquids.
Whisk: A cooking utensil used to blend ingredients smooth, or to incorporate air into a mixture, in a light, frothy mass.
Popsicle mold: A container used to make popsicles, typically made of plastic or silicone, with individual compartments for freezing liquid.
Bowl: A round, deep dish or basin used for food preparation and serving.
Freezer: An appliance used for freezing food and keeping it frozen.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Horchata Popsicles
Once the horchata popsicles are completely frozen, remove them from the mold and wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help prevent freezer burn and keep them fresh for longer.
Place the wrapped popsicles in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag to minimize the risk of freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date you made the horchata popsicles so you can keep track of how long they've been in the freezer.
Store the popsicles in the coldest part of your freezer, typically the back, where the temperature is most consistent. Avoid storing them in the door, as the temperature fluctuates more in this area due to frequent opening and closing.
When properly stored, your homemade horchata popsicles should maintain their best quality for up to 2-3 months in the freezer. However, they will remain safe to eat beyond this time, as long as they have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F (-18°C).
To enjoy the popsicles, simply remove them from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before unwrapping and serving. If you find that the popsicles are too hard to bite into, you can let them thaw for a bit longer until they reach your desired consistency.
Interesting Fact About Horchata Popsicles
Horchata is a traditional Mexican drink made from rice, almonds, and cinnamon. It is often enjoyed during the summer months as a refreshing beverage.
Is Making Horchata Popsicles at Home Cost-Effective?
This homemade horchata popsicles recipe offers a high degree of cost-effectiveness for households. The main ingredients, such as rice, almonds, and milk, are generally affordable and widely available. With a rating of 8/10 for cost-effectiveness, the approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $8-$10. This makes it a budget-friendly option for a delightful homemade treat.
Are Homemade Horchata Popsicles Healthy or Unhealthy?
The homemade horchata popsicles recipe, while delicious, may not be the healthiest choice due to its high sugar content from the condensed milk and evaporated milk. These dairy products are also high in saturated fats, which can contribute to heart disease if consumed in excess. Additionally, the recipe lacks fresh fruits or vegetables, which could provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
However, the recipe does have some redeeming qualities:
- Rice and almonds offer some protein and healthy fats
- Almond milk is a good source of vitamin E and is lower in calories compared to cow's milk
- Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties and may help regulate blood sugar levels
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Reduce the amount of condensed milk or replace it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup
- Use low-fat or fat-free evaporated milk to decrease the saturated fat content
- Incorporate fresh fruits like strawberries, mangoes, or peaches to increase the vitamin and fiber content
- Experiment with using coconut milk instead of evaporated milk for a tropical twist and healthier fat profile
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors without increasing the sugar content
- Use brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber and nutrients
Editor's Opinion on This Homemade Horchata Popsicles Recipe
This homemade horchata popsicles recipe is a delightful twist on a classic beverage. The combination of rice, almonds, and cinnamon creates a rich, creamy base, while the addition of evaporated milk and condensed milk adds a luscious sweetness. The use of almond milk provides a nutty undertone, and the vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile. The popsicles are a refreshing and indulgent treat, perfect for a hot summer day. The recipe's simplicity and the balance of flavors make it a standout choice for anyone looking to enjoy a unique and delicious frozen dessert.
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Why trust this Homemade Horchata Pops Recipe:
This recipe uses traditional methods and authentic ingredients, ensuring a genuine horchata experience. The combination of rice, almonds, and cinnamon creates a rich and flavorful base, while the addition of evaporated milk and condensed milk provides a creamy texture. The use of vanilla extract and almond milk enhances the overall taste, making it a delightful treat. The careful blending and straining process ensures a smooth consistency, guaranteeing a satisfying popsicle experience.
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