Mexican Horchata Rice Drink with Cinnamon

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
• 4 cups water
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. 01
   Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
2. 02
   In a large bowl, combine the rinsed rice, 2 cups of water, and the cinnamon stick. Let it soak for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
3. 03
   After soaking, remove the cinnamon stick and transfer the rice and water mixture to a blender.
4. 04
   Blend the rice and water on high speed until the rice is finely ground and the mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
5. 05
   Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher to remove the rice solids.
6. 06
   Add the remaining 2 cups of water, granulated sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract to the strained liquid. Stir well to combine.
7. 07
   Chill the horchata in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
8. 08
   Serve the horchata over ice, garnished with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired.