If you ever need a relaxing exercise to calm the nerves (like, say, after you finally get the baby down for a nap after 1.5 hours of blood curdling can-you-see-my-tonsils-yet screams), I recommend making a batch of matcha horchata. Or really: blanching almonds and sitting over a bowl popping them out of their skins one-by-one. There's something seriously satisfying about the pop of an almond leaping out of its skin into a bowl. pop. pop. POP. Once you've gone that far, though, you might as well finish the job and turn them into creamy horchata.
In other news: I think I'm going to need a new KitchenAid stand mixer soon. While popping blanched almonds soothes my soul, the crying babe finds her calm to the sound of the mixer spinning 'round and 'round. For hours. Now if only I had a second one for the bathroom so I could shower while the baby is lulled to sleep by thoughts of freshly baked cookies. She deems the blow dryer a pitiful second choice white noise machine.
This coconut matcha horchata (matchata) was Zoella's first time (out of the womb) helping mama in the kitchen. I wore her in a moby wrap, tied an apron around us, and went to town squeezing nut and rice pulp through a cheesecloth (the apron was my mom's idea after I'd already splashed the baby - oops).
Horchata is a classic refreshing drink served alongside Mexican cuisine, made with almonds, rice, and cinnamon. It's not uncommon in authentic Mexican horchata to blend in shredded coconut as well, which gave me the inspiration to add that coconut note to the matcha version. This green drink is a matcha-lover's twist on that classic horchata (to get a recipe for authentic horchata, check out My Latina Table).
To make this matcha horchata variation, I tested multiple versions to find the right horchata to matcha to coconut balance. One version replaced all the water with coconut water - the result was a creamier and much sweeter sip that was delicious, but lacked in the horchata-esque department.
The all-water version shared here was the clear winner with just a splash of coconut cream thrown in. This coconut matcha horchata is lightly creamy with nutty notes and a slightly bitter matcha edge. Served over ice, you taste the toasty horchata flavors blended up with rice, almonds, and cinnamon, and matcha's fresh earthiness is sweetened by simple syrup and coconut cream.
I'll opt for a glass of refreshing naturally green coconut matchata with ice over a pint of dyed-green beer as my St. Patty's Day libation.
PS. Thanks to Todd for rescuing me with perfect ice cubes after I'd already been to the store twice for this recipe (do you see how simple these ingredients are? TWICE. #mamabrain).
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup whole raw almonds, or blanched almonds
- 6 tablespoons long-grain white rice, like jasmine rice
- 1 3- inch piece of cinnamon (ceylon
- 3 cups boiling water
- 7 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2¼ cups cold water, divided
- 2 tablespoons high-quality matcha powder
- 2 tablespoons canned coconut cream, or the cream from the top of an unshaken can of full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Day 1:
- If starting with whole raw almonds, bring a large pot of water to boil over medium heat. Blanch the almonds in the boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and run under cold water. Pop the almonds out of their skins and discard the skins.
- Using a high-powered blender or food processor, pulverize the rice with cinnamon until fine.
- Add the blanched almonds and rice powder to a heat-proof bowl, and pour 3 cups of boiling water over the top.
- Cover and let soak for 8 hours or overnight.
Day 2:
- Prepare the simple syrup by heating the sugar with ¼ cup of the cold water in a small saucepan over medium heat just until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Pour the soaking mixture into a blender, add the simple syrup, remaining 2 cups of cold water, matcha, vanilla, coconut cream, and salt and purée until completely smooth.
- Over a large bowl, strain the mixture through a cheese cloth or nut bag or through a fine mesh sieve, pressing the liquid out of all of the pulp. Discard the pulp.
- Serve the horchata chilled over ice. The horchata will keep for a few days in the refrigerator (give it a quick stir before serving after it's been sitting for awhile).
Nicole ~ cooking for keeps -
I have fallen off the face of the earth since having a baby, and totally missed that you had your baby!! Props to you for getting back into the kitchen so quickly! I think it took me a solid two months. I have no idea why I didn't start using a baby wrap or carrier sooner, they are lifesavers! This is so beautiful!
Sarah Menanix -
Girl, tell me about it. I'm still sinking (drowning?) in baby-land. I'm slowly reading comments and realizing I'm a few months behind. Oops! Congrats to YOU for your new baby!!
Jennifer -
I'm currently in AZ a couple hours from the Mexican border and there is horchata everywhere. This is where I first fell in love with it. I absolutely love this version. How gorgeous!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much, Jen!
Veronica -
Sarah this recipe is the best! You always make me laugh with those first time parent stories!
Sarah Menanix -
Hehe thank you, Mama V!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence -
That color is incredible!! I can imagine how refreshing this is. You know what's not refreshing though?? Poop across the face :P So sorry for the hubby!!
Sarah Menanix -
Haha def. not refreshing;)
Ellie | fit for the soul -
Ooooohh I need to make this and it looks incredible and like it would make a much healthier relationship than I currently have with horchata! And omgsh, the way you described the tonsil cry CRACKED.ME.UP! Why are you so funny? It's so fun to hear your little woes and discoveries as a mother, Sarah. I know that for myself, I would scream hallelujah when I "thought" I figured Selah out and just when I "thought" I did, she would change her whole routine. -_-" What really helped Selah was noisy humidifiers since it was dry a lot of the times anyway, or the AC/fan in her room. Also, have you heard JEWEL's LULLABIES?! IF NOT, you must! I'm telling you...she will first make you feel like you found an angel slash best friend forever b/c she soothes baby with her ethereal voice, but then you'll feel like, "why do I sound like a toad when I attempt to sing her songs?" :P
Sarah Menanix -
YES! We get into a routine and then the next day: BAM. It changes. We've got the humidifier now and a hair dryer (as you know;) sound. I will have to check out Jewel's Lullabies! Thanks for the recommendation - keep 'em coming, lady!! <3
Cindy -
I would take this over a pint of green beer 100x's over. It sounds amazing! I love, love, love horchata.
and, you totally have me daydreaming of those tiny baby days when I could just wrap Casper onto my body! Cue the mom tears.
Sarah Menanix -
Awwww - I'm going to cherish the baby wearing days as long as possible! (PS. Have you been to a babywearing meet-up before??)
Bethany via athletic avocado -
What an incredible take on a tasty drink! I LOVE IT!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you!
Naomi -
Adventures of parenting, right?! It only gets better from here - like when you go dinner and you forget diapers and you can't get the bill fast enough!
Now the drink -- gorgeous! Love that opening shot!!
Sarah Menanix -
Ha! My mom likes to tell the story of the time I stole the tip off the restaurant table as a kid. I'm sure I'll have equally embarrassing baby + restaurant stories!
Thank you, lady!!
Jayme | holly & flora -
Two worlds colliding in the best possible way. I have deep loves for both horchata and matcha. I wish I could blame my forgetfulness on mama brain!! ;-) I made three trips to the store in one day last week for a shoot. Just pure, plain sleep deprivation. And I am in love with the first photo here. Absolutely beautiful!!
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - I'm glad you can relate;) It's getting harder to just pop by the store these days - just as soon as I get her all strapped into the car seat, she poops.
Thank you so much! <3
Carla -
I love horchata... I love matcha... I mean, this is painfully obvious BUT STILL. IT TOOK BRILLIANT SARAH, as USUAL. xoxo
Sarah Menanix -
xoxo - I wish I still have some of this to share with you!
Megan {Country Cleaver} -
Awww what a sweet recipe to make together!! The tonsil screams, I could definitely go with out though. Poor kiddo I hope you both got some rest after that!
Sarah Menanix -
She's now bruleed in the kitchen with me, so she's a regular chef! But we're still slowly figuring out the rest thing!
Alanna -
Best horchata ever because MATCHATA!!! I want to drink this every day always and forever. While popping slippery almonds out of their skins. And wearing Catamus in a moby wrap.
Sarah Menanix -
Sounds safe. Definitely on the Top Games to Play list.
genevieve @ gratitude & greens -
Please keep the matcha recipes coming! I've never had horchata before but it's something I've always wanted to try. Beautiful photos as always- can't wait to give this a whirl!
Lisa -
Oh man, I haven't quite experienced the poop shot like Lucas has, but I've had my fair share of diaper-changing extravaganzas when I babysat my nephew! I use those stories to embarrass him every now and then.
I can't believe that the KitchenAid soothes Zoella! A sure sign that she'll be a great cook like her mama!!
And Sarah, seriously, this drinks is stunning!!!!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks lady! Wish I could cheers a glass with you right now:)
Todd W. -
Aww, her first time cooking with her mama!! <3 ... can't wait until she reads this post (especially the poop part).
The whole mood/color/vibe of these photos just stops me in my tracks. So alluring!! I think you've officially taken over the drink photographer title. I wish I was as creative with my flavor combos as you!
Sarah Menanix -
Bah! Please. This would be 100x more special if I garnished it with homemade tacos and shrimp...someone who would think to do that is a creative genius!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles -
How beautiful is that drink? I'd love one right now. Happy Weekend to you!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much! Happy (belated) weekend to you too!
Tessa | Salted Plains -
I can't get over this green color. So beautiful! And what a seriously delicious flavor combo too.
(Also, totally laughed out loud at the poop comment). :)
Sarah Menanix -
Ha - I did too. At 3am when she shouted from poop being shot across his face;) And thank you!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness -
Poop across daddy's face?
That is no bueno. Not at all.
BUT, this coconut matcha horchata IS! I LOVE matcha, but I have yet to try horchata, which means this is the perfect time to do so!!
Pinned!
Sarah Menanix -
Aww - thank you so much!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
Gorgeous Sarah! The color is so pretty! I am an horchata freak. Green beer has always freaked me out. I don't drink but seriously, who thought this was a good idea. hand me some Matchata instead. PS it's always a good time to talk about Lucas getting poop shot at him. ALWAYS.
Sarah Menanix -
I'm glad I have you to talk about allofthebabypoop with.