A horchata cocktail is the perfect way to elevate a classic Mexican drink. This creamy, cinnamon-infused beverage gets a boozy upgrade with tequila and coffee liqueur, creating a smooth, indulgent cocktail. As a food and drink-focused travel site, we’ve tasted cocktails from around the world, but this one always brings us back to Mexico.
As a professional chef, I’d love to say I created this horchata cocktail myself, but really, it’s a love letter to my hometown of Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, and nowhere is that more evident than in its food. From iconic taco trucks to hole-in-the-wall cafés serving up the best Mexican flavors outside of Mexico, the city is a paradise for food lovers.
Why You’ll Love This Horchata Cocktail
If you love creamy, spiced cocktails with a little caffeine boost, this one’s for you. It’s like a White Russian met a Mexican café de olla, and they decided to party in LA. The blend of homemade horchata, tequila, and coffee liqueur makes this cocktail smooth, slightly sweet, and just the right amount of boozy.
A Twist On Classic Horchata
The nut milk is inspired by G&B Coffee in LA, who uses a similar technique to make the milk in their legendary Almond Latte. Soon after I first had it, I was at Gracias Madre and had their Spiked Horchata cocktail made with mezcal and plenty of spice.
Convinced that the sum of these two would be even more incredible than the individual parts, I began to tinker, as I do, until I came up with this Spiked Almond Horchata Latte cocktail that’s shaken with tequila and coffee liqueur for a sort of White Russian gone south of the border.
Recipe Ingredients
Each ingredient in this cocktail plays a key role in creating a perfectly balanced drink:
- Blanched Almonds & Macadamia Nuts – These add a rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture to the horchata.
- Uncooked Long Grain Rice – The base of any good horchata, giving it body and a slight starchiness.
- Dates – Naturally sweetens the drink while adding depth and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Cinnamon – Essential for that classic warm spice note in every sip.
- Tequila (100% Agave Silver) – The star of the show, bringing a smooth, earthy kick to balance the sweetness.
- Coffee Liqueur – A touch of coffee flavor enhances the horchata’s creamy richness.
- Ice Cubes – Keeps the cocktail chilled and smooth.
- Star Anise & Freshly Grated Cinnamon – The perfect garnish for an extra layer of spice and aroma.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Make the honey syrup: Combine equal parts honey and water in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture gently, stirring until the honey is fully dissolved. Set aside and let it cool to room temperature before using.
2. Prepare the cocktail: Add gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, and two fresh sage leaves to a cocktail shaker. Stir briefly to help dissolve the honey syrup.
3. Shake and strain: Fill the shaker halfway with ice, then shake vigorously for about 10 seconds until the mixture is well chilled. Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Garnish and serve: Gently smack the remaining sage leaf between your hands to release its aroma, then drop it into the glass as a fragrant garnish.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Horchata Cocktail
A horchata cocktail is a creamy, spiked drink made by mixing traditional horchata with spirits like tequila or rum. This version pairs macadamia-almond horchata with tequila and coffee liqueur.
Tequila, rum, and coffee liqueur pair well with horchata. In this horchata cocktail recipe, tequila enhances the creamy texture, while coffee liqueur adds a rich depth of flavor.
Yes! Traditional horchata is naturally dairy-free, and this horchata cocktail keeps it that way by using homemade nut-based horchata with tequila and coffee liqueur.
What To Serve With This Recipe
This horchata cocktail pairs perfectly with bold, flavorful Mexican dishes. Serve it alongside Chicken Tinga for a smoky, slightly spicy contrast, or enjoy it with Classic Carnitas Tacos for the ultimate taco-and-cocktail combo. And of course, no horchata-inspired drink is complete without a sweet treat—these Breakfast Churros with Cinnamon Sugar are the perfect crispy, sugary pairing.
Other Cocktails To Try
If you loved this cocktail recipe, you HAVE to try these! Here are a few of our readers’ favorite cocktail recipes that you can make next time:
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Tequila Spiked Horchata Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
For The Macadamia Almond Horchata:
- 6 cups cold water
- 2/3 cup blanched almonds
- 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
- 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
- 1/3 cup roughly chopped pitted dates
- 3 (3 inch) pieces cinnamon plus more for garnish
For The Horchata Cocktail:
- 1/4 cup horchata
- 1 ounce 100% agave silver tequila
- 1/4 ounce coffee liqueur
- Ice cubes
- Star anise for garnish
Instructions
- Soak The Macadamia Almond Horchata: Bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Combine boiling water, rice, almonds, macadamia nuts, dates, and the cinnamon in a large bowl—cover and let stand at room temperature for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.2/3 cup blanched almonds, 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice, 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, 1/3 cup roughly chopped pitted dates, 3 (3 inch) pieces cinnamon, 6 cups cold water
- Blend The Macadamia Almond Horchata: Remove cinnamon then put half of the mix into a blender. Make sure to add equal parts solids and liquids to help the blender along. Set to the highest speed and process the horchata until smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Strain The Macadamia Almond Horchata: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve. The horchata will be a touch chalky thanks to the rice. If you want it silkier and smoother, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with a double layer of cheesecloth. (Makes about 8 cups horchata.)
- Make One Horchata Cocktail: Combine 1/4 cup horchata in a cocktail shaker with coffee liqueur and tequila, and fill the shaker halfway with ice. Shake and serve on the rocks with a grating of fresh cinnamon and a star anise piece.1/4 cup horchata, 1 ounce 100% agave silver tequila, 1/4 ounce coffee liqueur, Ice cubes, Star anise
