Drink: Almond Horchata

Horchata is a refreshing iced drink served in Mexico. It is made with almonds, raw rice, or melon seeds.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon

Health benefits of Almond Horchata

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Ingredients

1 cup blanched whole almonds
2 cups boiling-hot water
1/2- to 1-inch piece cinnamon stick
1/3 cup sugar, or to taste
Freshly grated zest of 1 lime
2 cups ice plus additional for glasses
Garnish if desired: cinnamon sticks and lime zest

Instructions

In a blender combine all horchata ingredients except ice and let stand in blender 5 minutes. Blend mixture on low speed and gradually work up to high speed (use caution when blending hot liquids). Blend mixture on high speed 3 minutes. Add 2 cups ice and blend until melted.
Pour mixture through a large sieve lined with a double layer of dampened cheesecloth into a bowl, stirring, and discard solids.
Fill 4 tall glasses with additional ice and horchata and garnish with cinnamon sticks and lime zest. Flavor of horchata improves if made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

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