Easy Strawberry Horchata (Agua de Horchata de Fresa)
7
on Feb 08, 2024, Updated Mar 12, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Easy Strawberry Horchata recipe is a fruity twist on the classic Mexican horchata. Also known as agua de horchata de fresa, this naturally dairy-free Mexican strawberry milk drink is creamy, refreshing, and sure to become a family favorite.
If you love traditional horchata, you’re going to adore this version infused with real strawberries. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and slightly spiced with cinnamon—like a nostalgic childhood treat in a glass!
Table of Contents
What is Strawberry Horchata?
Strawberry horchata, or agua de horchata de fresa, is a flavored variation of the classic Mexican horchata made with rice, cinnamon, vanilla, and sweetener. The addition of strawberries gives it a delicious fruity twist, making it similar to Mexican strawberry milk, but completely dairy-free!
Horchata has a long history, dating back to 13th-century Spain, where it was originally made with tiger nuts (known as orxata de xufa). In Mexico and Latin America, the drink evolved into a creamy rice-based horchata, which inspired this strawberry agua fresca version.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This strawberry horchata recipe is:
Perfectly Customizable – Adjust the sweetness, swap in different fruits, or add sweetened condensed milk for an ultra-creamy version.
Quick & Easy – Just soak, blend, strain, and chill. Less than 20 minutes of active prep!
Made With Just 6 Ingredients – Pantry staples and fresh strawberries make this recipe simple.
Naturally Dairy-Free & Vegan – No milk needed, but still creamy and delicious.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Making this Mexican strawberry horchata is easy with just a handful of simple ingredients. The full list with measurements can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- White Rice – Long-grain white rice is best for a neutral flavor, but jasmine, basmati, or even brown rice can work.
- Cinnamon – I prefer making horchata with canela, or whole cinnamon sticks. In a pinch, swap in two teaspoons of ground cinnamon instead.
- Cloves – Adds a hint of warmth; no cloves? Feel free to omit or add a pinch of ground cloves if you happen to have some on hand.
- Vanilla Extract – Traditional horchata has cinnamon and vanilla, which I have used here. You can certainly feel free to substitute with almond extract.
- Strawberries – Fresh or frozen (defrosted) strawberries add a natural fruity sweetness.
- Cane Sugar – Provides just the right amount of sweetness, but if you don’t have cane sugar, feel free to substitute with granulated sugar.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (Optional) – For a richer, creamier texture, stir in sweetened condensed milk.
How to Make Strawberry Horchata
Step 1: Rinse & Soak Rice. Rinse the rice well, then soak it in water for at least 2 hours.
Step 2: Blend Rice & Spices. Blend the soaked rice, cinnamon, cloves, and soaking water until smooth.
Step 3: Strain. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the solids.
Step 4: Blend with Strawberries. Return the strained liquid to a blender, add strawberries, vanilla, and sugar, and blend again.
Step 5: Strain Again (Optional). If a smoother texture is desired, strain once more.
Step 6: Adjust Sweetness & Consistency. Add more sugar or water to taste. For extra creaminess, stir in sweetened condensed milk.
Step 7: Serve & Enjoy. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh strawberries.
Watch this video and check the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and quantities.
Serving & Topping Suggestions
- Serve over ice for a refreshing strawberry agua fresca experience.
- Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries or a cinnamon stick for extra flavor.
- Want to make it a spiked strawberry horchata? Add a splash of rum or tequila!
Strawberry Horchata Expert Tips & Tricks
Use Fresh Strawberries – The fresher and more fragrant, the better the flavor!
Strain Well – A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth ensures a silky smooth texture.
Freeze for Later – Make strawberry horchata ice cubes to keep drinks cold without dilution.
Storage Instructions
Freeze: Pour into ice cube trays for future drinks or freeze into paletas de horchata for a fun frozen treat!
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container and consume within 3 days for the best flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strawberry horchata is made with rice, water, cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, and fresh strawberries. Some variations include sweetened condensed milk for extra creaminess.
Traditional Mexican horchata is made from soaked rice, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar. Other countries have their own versions, like Spain’s horchata de chufa, made with tiger nuts.
Horchata can be a refreshing and natural drink, but its healthiness depends on sugar content. You can make a healthier strawberry horchata by reducing sugar or using a natural sweetener.
Horchata turns pink when blended with strawberries, hibiscus, or even a splash of food coloring in store-bought varieties. Agua de horchata de fresa naturally gets its beautiful pink hue from real strawberries!
more Mexican Aguas Fresca Recipes
If you tried this Easy Strawberry Horchata recipe, please leave a star rating and comment below! I’d love to hear how it turned out! 🌟
Easy Strawberry Horchata Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice, uncooked
- 6 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves, whole
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 16 ounces strawberries, hulled
- 1/2 cup cane sugar
- 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk (optional)
- fresh strawberry slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse and strain uncooked rice.
- Soak rice in 6 cups of water for 2 to 4 hours. Make sure you use a container that is large enough to keep the rice submerged.
- Place soaked rice and water in blender with cinnamon stick broken in half and cloves and blend for 1 to 2 minutes until well blended.
- Strain through a sieve and discard solids.
- Return strained liquid to a blender with vanilla extract, strawberries, and sugar and blend for 1 to 2 minutes and strain, if desired.
- Taste and add more water or sugar to your liking or sweetened condensed milk if you want a creamy strawberry horchata.
- If the sweetness is to your liking, garnish with fresh sliced strawberries and pour into glasses filled with ice.
Video
Notes
- Use Fresh Strawberries – The fresher and more fragrant, the better the flavor!
- Strain Well – A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth ensures a silky smooth texture.
- Freeze for Later – Make strawberry horchata ice cubes to keep drinks cold without dilution.
- Nutrition Information does not include sweetened condensed milk.
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container and consume within 3 days for the best flavor.
- Freeze: Pour into ice cube trays for future drinks or freeze into paletas de horchata for a fun frozen treat!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Raemi Vermiglio / Video by Pure Cinematography
Originally published: February 2021.
This is the first time I leave a comment here for you to read. I love your site& recipes! Sadly I have yet to make any….yet. I look forward to doing so. I am glad that you have this non-dairy drink, my nephew is allergic to dairy and eggs,I think he might like this. Also I thought horchata was made with oatmeal and was surprised that it is rice. Still looks & sounds good. I will let you know how it turns out, I do follow you on Facebook. Thank You so Very Much!
Hello.. i looove your recipes 🙂
QQ..For health reasons I’m avoiding white rice. Have you tried using brown rice?
Long grain brown rice can also be used to make horchata, though you should note that it will taste nuttier than white varieties.
I have not actually had Strawberry Horchata but am no stranger to Horchata and have made it quite a few times. On this strawberry one, do you think that frozen strawberries could be used?
Yes, feel free to use frozen strawberries — Just let them defrost before blending, or your strawberry horchata will end up a little like a milkshake.
Can I use ready-to-use rice milk instead?
I don’t see why not! Super quick shortcut. Don’t forget to add spices and fresh strawberries and blend. Enjoy!