Chicha Venezolana
A beloved Venezuelan beverage, Chicha is a creamy, sweet, and refreshing drink made from rice, milk, and infused with cinnamon and vanilla. Perfect for a warm day or as a dessert drink.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 cup White Rice(Long-grain white rice is recommended for its neutral flavor and texture.)
- 4 cups Water(For cooking the rice.)
- 4 cups Milk(Whole milk will yield the creamiest result, but 2% can also be used.)
- 1 can (14 oz / 396g) Sweetened Condensed Milk(Adjust to your desired sweetness.)
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks(For infusing flavor into the rice.)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract(Pure vanilla extract is best.)
- For garnish (optional) Ground Cinnamon
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Place the rinsed rice in a bowl and cover with plenty of fresh water. Let it soak for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, at room temperature. This step is crucial for softening the rice.
⏱️ 2 hours to overnight - 2
Drain the soaked rice and discard the soaking water. Transfer the drained rice to a medium saucepan. Add the 4 cups of fresh water and the 2 cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until the rice is extremely tender and has absorbed most of the water. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 3
Remove the cinnamon sticks from the cooked rice. Transfer the cooked rice and any remaining liquid to a blender. Add the 4 cups of milk and the can of sweetened condensed milk. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This may take several minutes, depending on your blender's power. You should not be able to detect individual grains of rice.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 4
For an extra smooth texture, strain the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher or bowl. Press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard any remaining solids. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- 5
Chill the Chicha thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve cold over ice, garnished with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.
⏱️ 1 hour (minimum chilling time)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The final consistency should be creamy and smooth, similar to a thick milkshake.
- ✓Straining the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve is key to achieving a velvety smooth texture.
- ✓Chicha Venezolana is incredibly refreshing, especially when served ice-cold.
- ✓Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more condensed milk if desired.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a thicker Chicha, use slightly less milk or add a tablespoon of cornstarch (dissolved in a little cold milk) during the blending stage.
- For a lighter version, use evaporated milk instead of some of the whole milk, or a combination.
- Some recipes include a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.