horchata & agua fresca

After wandering the streets and alleys of the Mission you can drop into a taqueria, maybe take a seat on the little front patio at La Taqueria, and rest your feet and watch the parade go by as you sip a refreshing horchata or agua fresca. If you want to try one at home here are a couple recipes. They both make two big servings.


HORCHATA

1/2 cup long grain rice
1/2 cup water
2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Place rice in a bowl with enough water to cover and let it sit out on the counter overnight. Next day drain the water. Place rice, 1/4 cup fresh water and 1 cup milk in blender and blend until the rice is ground up. Add sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Blend again. Add remaining 1 cup milk and 1/4 cup water and blend again. Strain through a fine strainer. Chill. Stir before serving.

AGUA FRESCA

2 cups cold water
1 cup ice
2 cups strawberries, cut in 1 " pieces (or mango or watermelon)
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tb lime juice

Place everything in a blender and blend on high. If using strawberries, strain if you want. Stir before serving.