This Instant Pot Horchata recipe is as delicious as the original with less sugar! And with a little help from your Instant Pot, it's super quick to make!

Make Makes This Quick Horchata Recipe So Great

Fast. Make a homemade horchata recipe in under 30 minutes with the help of your Instant Pot.
Easy. It’s as simple as adding all of the ingredients to your Instant Pot and cooking under pressure.
Delicious. Absolutely packed with sweet cinnamon sugar flavor.
Dietary-friendly. Not only is it delicious, but it is also Vegan, Vegetarian, and Dairy-free.

I love horchata but I can't drink the one you get in restaurants because of all the sugar. The mixes are fabulous, but once again, too sugary.

I tried making my own with raw rice, and honestly, while it turned out very tasty, it was not something I could see myself doing very often. It requires planning if you're going to do it right.

Soak the rice for hours. Blend, and then let it sit for hours and then strain. I mean, worth it for a special occasion, but not something for every day. That's why I came up with this fantastically simple Instant Horchata recipe!

What Is Horchata?

Horchata is a creamy, sweet, cinnamon-infused drink that originates from Latin America, with the Mexican version being the most well-known in the U.S.

Traditionally made by soaking rice (sometimes with almonds) and blending it with water, cinnamon, and sugar, it’s then strained to create a smooth, refreshing beverage.

It’s served cold and has a lightly sweet, comforting flavor with warm cinnamon notes. It's perfect on its own or paired with spicy dishes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

32 ounces Unsweetened Rice Milk- This forms the creamy, velvety base of your horchata. Using unsweetened rice milk gives you full control over the sweetness level and ensures the drink isn’t overly sugary. It also helps the cinnamon flavor shine through while keeping the drink dairy-free and naturally smooth.
6 tablespoons Sugar or Other Sweetener Equivalent- This sweetens the horchata and balances the warm spice from the cinnamon. If using a sugar substitute like Truvia, it cuts down on carbs and calories while still delivering that classic sweet profile. Start with the full amount, then adjust to taste after cooking.
1 stick Cinnamon- The cinnamon stick infuses warm, aromatic flavor into the rice milk as it pressure-cooks. Breaking it into chunks increases the surface area, allowing more cinnamon essence to steep into the drink for that signature horchata flavor.

How To Make Horchata In Your Instant Pot

Cook. Combine all ingredients (rice milk, sweetener, and cinnamon) in your Instant Pot, and pressure cook at High Pressure for 4 minutes.
Serve. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, release remaining pressure and your drink is ready to serve over ice, or even better, chill it so you're not diluting it further.

I gave it some thought and realized I was overdoing this. What are we trying to do? Essentially we're trying to make rice milk. Guess what? You can BUY rice milk. Already made. I wondered if it would work as well? All I'd have to do is add cinnamon and infuse the cinnamon into it.

I know how to infuse flavors quickly--you use an Instant Pot. Once I started making my iced tea in an Instant Pot, I know I'll never make it any other way. So I used the same principle of tea making to instant horchata making.

The end result has no added sugar because I used a sweetener. It's a little thinner than store-bought horchata, I suspect because of no real sugar or perhaps flour fillers? I'm not really sure. It's thinner but it tastes good. So unless it's a special occasion, I think this is how I'll be making it.

Tips And Tricks

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your Instant Pot Horchata turns out perfectly smooth, flavorful, and refreshing every time.

Break the cinnamon stick for stronger flavor. Increasing the surface area helps the cinnamon infuse more deeply into the rice milk during pressure cooking.
Use unsweetened rice milk for total control. Sweetened varieties can make the drink overly sugary, so start with unsweetened and adjust sweetness at the end.
Sweeten to taste after cooking. Different sweeteners have different strengths, so add a portion first and adjust once the mixture cools slightly.

Variations

Here are some fun and flavorful variations you can try to put your own twist on Instant Pot Horchata while keeping its classic creamy, cinnamon-kissed charm.

Vanilla Horchata- Add 1–2 teaspoons of vanilla extract after cooking for a warm, bakery-like flavor that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon.
Almond Horchata- Replace 1 cup of the rice milk with unsweetened almond milk or add 1–2 teaspoons almond extract for a nutty, aromatic twist.
Coconut Horchata- Swap in 1 cup of canned light coconut milk or add ½ teaspoon coconut extract to give the drink a tropical creaminess.
Chocolate Horchata- Whisk in 2–3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and a splash of vanilla after cooking for a rich, chocolatey version.

What To Enjoy With Instant Pot Horchata

Here are some delicious pairings that complement the sweet, creamy, cinnamon-forward flavor of Instant Pot Horchata.

Spicy Mexican dishes- Tacos, enchiladas, or chile verde pair beautifully because horchata cools and balances the heat.
Churros- The crispy, cinnamon-sugar coating is a natural match for horchata’s creamy sweetness.
Tres Leches Cake- The rich, milky flavors echo the horchata and make for an indulgent dessert pairing.

How Long Does It Last?

This Horchata recipe is the perfect sweet treat. I love to keep some in the refrigerator to enjoy when I’m craving something sweet but I don’t feel like cooking. Since it lasts up to a week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it’s easy to keep on hand.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze horchata, but the texture may change slightly once thawed. Because horchata contains rice milk and cinnamon-infused liquid, it can sometimes separate or become a bit grainy after freezing.

To freeze it, pour the horchata into an airtight container, leaving room for expansion, and store it for up to 2–3 months.

When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator and give it a vigorous shake or whisk to help restore its creamy consistency.

More Instant Pot Drink Recipes

Indian Lassi Recipe - A delicious traditional Indian beverage that you're sure to love as much as Instant Horchata!
Mulled Apple Cider - A delicious cider you can make in just 30 minutes.
Masala Chai - An authentic Chai recipe you can make in your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Iced Tea - a super easy, hands-off method that makes the smoothest tea you've ever had.
Hibiscus Tea - A perfect drink for Summer!
Lemongrass Tea - A cold, refreshing drink for the summer.

This Instant Pot Horchata recipe is so simple to make that you'll never want to drink store-bought again. Make sure to share this recipe with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook so they can enjoy it as well!