Ingredients
Scale
To create your own slice of Costa Rican paradise, you’ll need a selection of fresh, simple ingredients that come together to make these drinks irresistible. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup rice (for horchata)
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free version)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (for refresco)
- 1 cup fresh mango chunks
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Ice, for serving
Feel free to substitute the fruits with whatever is in season or to your liking. My mum always said that recipes are just a starting point, and the best ones evolve with personal touches.
Instructions
With a few simple steps, you can recreate the warmth of Costa Rica in your own kitchen. Here’s how to bring these drinks to life:
- Start by rinsing the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, a step that always reminds me of the delicate care my mum took with each ingredient.
- In a large bowl, combine the rinsed rice with 2 cups of water and let it soak overnight, or for at least 4 hours if you’re pressed for time.
- Drain the soaking liquid and place the rice in a blender with the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. This step always reminds me of squeezing out every bit of flavor, just like my mum taught me.
- To make the refresco, blend the pineapple, mango, lime juice, honey, and remaining water until smooth. Strain if desired for a smoother texture.
- Serve both drinks over ice, garnish with a slice of lime or a sprinkle of cinnamon, and enjoy the refreshing taste of Costa Rica.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International