| 1 | * preferably fresh ground in a spice grinder if you travel to mexico, you will see many street stands selling only fresh cold beverages. |
| 2 | Most are made from fresh fruit. |
| 3 | This, which like the french orgeat must go back to some medieval mediterranean original, is the mysterious white one that you will see in the glass jugs. |
| 4 | It"s one of my favorite drinks. |
| 5 | My son rodrigo always begs me to make this refreshing drink, which is still a favorite remedy for children with digestive upsets. |
| 6 | Place the rice and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. |
| 7 | Add the boiling water and let soak until the water is white and milky. |
| 8 | Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. |
| 9 | Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until partly softened but not fluffed up, about 15 minutes. |
| 10 | Discard the cinnamon stick and let the rice cool, covered. |
| 11 | Working in several batches, purse the rice mixture in a blender or food mill. |
| 12 | The mixture may be sticky and hard to work with; use the cold water a little at a time if necessary to thin. |
| 13 | With a wooden spoon or pusher, force the mixture through a medium-mesh sieve (you can use more of the cold water to help rinse it through). |
| 14 | Combine the strained pursed rice with the lime juice, ground cinnamon, and sugar to taste. |
| 15 | Add the remaining cold water gradually until the horchata is the consistency of a not-too-heavy cream soup (use a little more if desired). |
| 16 | Taste and add more sugar, lime juice, or cinnamon if desired, but the flavor should be delicate and slightly bland. |
| 17 | Chill thoroughly and serve with ice. |
| 18 | Yield: about 1 ?quarts. |
| 19 | Editor"s note: martinez says the u.s. |
| 20 | Product called cinnamon is not the same as the cinnamon, imported from sri lanka (ceylon), that"s sold in mexico. |
| 21 | The bark is thinner, and it"s medium tan, not reddish brown. |
| 22 | The sri lankan type also is known as soft-stick cinnamon. |
| 23 | It may be available at some mexican markets. |
| 24 | Recipe from "food from my heart" by zarela martinez. |
| 25 | Naomi kaufman price writing in the oregonian"s foodday, 1/12/93 |