Easy Horchata

This is my favorite drink in the world, and you won’t believe how it’s made.

All you do is add 1 cup of long-grain white rice and 2 broken-up cinnamon sticks to a pan and stir over medium heat until the rice turns golden.

Then add a 1/2 cup slivered almonds and continue toasting until everything starts to smell nutty.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add 4 cups of water along with 1 piece of star anise.

Then cover and let rest at room temperature for a few hours or in the fridge overnight.

Now, add everything to a blender and blend on high until it becomes smooth and milky.

Then line a strainer with a few layers of cheesecloth and pour it through, making sure to squeeze out as much of that liquid as possible…

To finish, add 2 more cups of water, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk or sugar, a pinch of vanilla extract, and a touch of salt. Then pour it over ice and enjoy!