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Creamy horchata milkshake topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, and a cinnamon stick in a tall frosty glass on a rustic wooden table.
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Horchata Milkshake

Creamy, thick, and loaded with warm cinnamon flavor, this horchata milkshake blends authentic horchata with rich vanilla ice cream for the ultimate frozen Mexican-inspired dessert drink. Smooth, cozy, and perfectly balanced, this easy milkshake tastes like a creamy cinnamon rice dessert in drinkable form.
Course Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine Mexican-Inspired
Keyword cinnamon dessert drink, cinnamon milkshake, creamy horchata shake, easy milkshake recipe, frozen horchata drink, horchata milkshake, Mexican milkshake, Mexican-inspired dessert, summer milkshake, vanilla cinnamon shake
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2 large milkshake
Calories 460kcal
Cost $8 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • High-speed blender
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Tall serving glasses
  • Rubber spatula
  • Ice cream scoop
  • Straw or milkshake spoon

Ingredients

  • 3 cups premium vanilla ice cream
  • 1 cup very cold horchata
  • 2 tablespoons cold whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 drop almond extract or scant 1/16 teaspoon
  • Tiny pinch fine salt
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk

Optional Toppings

  • Whipped cream
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Dulce de leche or caramel drizzle
  • Crushed churros
  • Cinnamon stick garnish

Instructions

  • Place serving glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes if desired.
  • Add the vanilla ice cream, horchata, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, almond extract, salt, and optional sweetened condensed milk to a blender.
  • Blend on low speed just until smooth and creamy, about 20 seconds.
  • If the milkshake is too thick, add 1 tablespoon horchata at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
  • If the milkshake is too thin, blend in an extra scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • Pour into chilled serving glasses.
  • Top with whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, ground cinnamon, caramel drizzle, or crushed churros if desired.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Use Very Cold Horchata

Using extra-cold horchata helps keep the milkshake thick and creamy without needing ice. Ice can dilute the cinnamon and vanilla flavors and create a thinner texture.

Choose Premium Vanilla Ice Cream

Premium vanilla ice cream creates the smoothest and richest milkshake because it contains less air and melts more slowly than lighter varieties.

Keep the Almond Extract Subtle

Only use a tiny amount of almond extract. Horchata traditionally has light nutty notes, but too much almond extract can overpower the cinnamon flavor.

Homemade Horchata Gives the Best Flavor

Homemade horchata usually has a stronger rice and cinnamon flavor than shelf-stable versions, making the milkshake taste more authentic and flavorful.

Avoid Overblending

Blend only until smooth and creamy. Overblending melts the ice cream too quickly and can make the milkshake thin instead of thick and frosty.

Best Served Immediately

This horchata milkshake tastes best fresh right after blending while the texture is thick, cold, and creamy.