Horchata

Ingredients

• 2 cups almonds skinless
• 1 inch cinnamon bark 
• 6 servings ice cubes 
• 0.5 cup sugar 
• 0.3 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 8 cups water 
• 1 cup rice long grain white

Equipment

• bowl
• sieve
• blender
• cheesecloth

Directions

1. Wash and drain the rice. Using a spice grinder (an electric coffee grinder works well too), grind the rice until fine; combine with the almonds and cinnamon bark.
2. Add 3 1/2 cups water and let sit overnight, covered. Blend rice mixture until smooth using a blender.
3. Add 2 1/2 cups of water and continue blending.
4. Add sugar and vanilla extract. Strain horchata into a bowl first using a metal strainer and then a double layer of cheesecloth; finish with up to an additional 2 cups of water until it achieves a milky consistency. Enjoy over ice.