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Creamy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Horchata Recipe

Glass of pumpkin spice horchata over ice
Servings:

6
Servings

Pumpkin Spice Horchata

Pumpkin Spice Horchata is a creamy, spiced variation of the classic Latin rice drink, perfect for autumn and holiday gatherings. This homemade version blends soaked rice and cinnamon with pumpkin puree, warming spices, and a trio of milks to create a rich, refreshing beverage. Serve it chilled over ice for a cool treat or add a shot of espresso for a pumpkin spice horchata latte.

This recipe yields a smooth, well-balanced drink that highlights the sweet earthiness of pumpkin and the comforting warmth of pumpkin pie spice. It’s easily customizable—adjust the sweetness, choose your preferred milk, and experiment with coffee to transform it into a seasonal latte.

Prep:

15
mins
Soak Time:

8
hrs
Total:

8
hrs
15
mins

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Blender
  • Fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth
  • Chef’s knife
  • Long-handled spoon or whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 large cinnamon stick
  • 4 cups water, for soaking
  • 2 cups cold water, for mixing in
  • 1 cup milk (whole, oat, or almond)
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup sugar, adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • Ice, for serving

Instructions

  • Soak the rice: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rinsed rice, the cinnamon stick, and 4 cups of water. Cover the bowl and let it soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. Soaking softens the rice and extracts flavor for a silky horchata base.
  • Blend until milky: Remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Transfer the soaked rice with the soaking water to a blender and blend on high until the mixture becomes smooth and milky, about 1–2 minutes. If needed, blend in batches to avoid overfilling the blender.
  • Strain the mixture: Pour the blended rice mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large pitcher. Press gently on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the leftover rice solids or reserve them for another use, such as adding to baked goods.
  • Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the 2 cups of cold water, the cup of milk, pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Use a whisk or blender to combine thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and uniform in texture.
  • Chill and serve: Refrigerate the horchata for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Serve over a glass full of ice and, if desired, sprinkle a pinch of additional pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on top. Stir or shake before serving, since the mixture can settle over time.

Notes

  • Turn this into a pumpkin spice horchata latte by adding a shot (or two) of cold brew coffee or espresso. Adjust sweetness to balance the coffee.
  • Garnish each serving with a cinnamon stick or a light dusting of pumpkin pie spice for a festive presentation.
  • If your pumpkin puree is already sweetened, reduce the sugar to taste to avoid an overly sweet drink.
  • Shake or stir the pitcher before pouring—separation is natural as ingredients settle.
  • For a lighter version, use low-fat milk or a lighter plant-based milk and reduce the sweetened condensed milk.

Tips & Variations

Make it dairy-free: Use oat milk or almond milk and replace sweetened condensed milk with a sweetened plant-based condensed milk alternative or a simple syrup to taste.

Smoother texture: For an extra-silky horchata, strain the blended liquid twice or press through cheesecloth to remove finer solids.

Adjust spice level: Increase or decrease the pumpkin pie spice depending on how pronounced you want the fall flavors to be. A pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg can complement the mix without overpowering it.

Storage

Store the horchata in a sealed pitcher or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Shake or stir well before serving, as separation will occur naturally. If the texture thickens in the fridge, thin with a splash of milk or cold water before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Pumpkin Spice Horchata over plenty of ice for a refreshing chilled drink. For a dessert-style treat, pair it with warm baked goods like pumpkin muffins, cinnamon rolls, or spiced cookies. For a morning boost, stir in espresso to create a seasonal iced latte.



Like this recipe? Leave a comment below with your variations or tips!