Horchata

Rice, rice, baby

by Rob McKeown

NOSHING & SIPPING

The margarita may be the poster child for Mexican food, but for pure refreshment it doesn't compare to a fine horchata. Made by blending rice, cinnamon, almonds, and lime zest, steeping the mixture in water overnight, and straining and pouring the result over ice, horchata is a frigid wonder that's tailor-made for the complex cooking of Mexico. El Pelón Taqueria serves a highly respectable version that weds the comfy, chalky sweetness of rice pudding with the primal thirst-quenching qualities of Gatorade. A horchata costs $1.58 at El Pelón, located at 92 Peterborough Street, in the Fenway. Call (617) 262-9090.

---

The Noshing & Sipping archive

---