Horchata (Mexican rice drink) Dairy free,Vegan

Hubby loves everything Mexican, and this is his all time favorite Mexican drink along with Mexican hot cocoa that we make from home roasted cacao beans. Anyway, it is sweet but you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. (:

Ingredients

8 servings

1. 1 1/2 cup Uncooked long grain white rice
2. 4 cup Water
3. 1 tsp Vietnamese Cinnamon (Ideally use Mexican cinnamon but this was all i had at home and worked just fine)
4. 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste (or you can use Mexican vanilla)
5. 1/2 cup White Granulated sugar
6. 1 can Evaporated milk(optional, ommit for vegan /dairy free version, i promise you wont miss it!!!)

Method

1. soak rice in water and cinnamon overnight.
   
2. the next day pour the rice and soaking water into the blender. I use a Vitamix blender because it pulverizes the rice very well. blend away then add vanilla, sugar and evaporated milk if you're using it and blend again.
   
3. You can strain it through a cheese cloth if you would like but I prefer the slightly thicker consistency from keeping all the rice in the drink. Now let chill in the fridge. Serve over ice with your favorite Mexican dish!!! enjoy!