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Nine Places To Try Different Styles of Horchata

Try this drink hot or cold, with alcohol or without, and with a variety of spices.

by Ross Perkins Updated
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by Ross Perkins Updated
1 comment / new

Horchata is a drink popular in Latin American countries with countless variations available, depending on the culture. Derived from the Catalan word orxata, Americans are more often acquainted with the Mexican version of horchata, which uses rice, cinnamon and sugar to create the milky sweet concoction. But other versions of horchata use quinoa, barley, sesame seeds and even milk.

Enjoyed hot or cold, with cinnamon or some other spices, with alcohol or virgin, horchata appears on menus in all types of restaurants. Here are nine places that carry their own versions of the Latin American drink.

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Bourbon Coffee DC

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Two delicious things put together – bourbon and coffee. The cafe has several outlets on the East Coast, including in Cambridge, Massachusetts and New York City. But if you want horchata with espresso, order the horchatte.

2101 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 525-1886
(202) 525-1886

China Chilcano

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Jose Andres has taken the Mexican drink and gave it a Peruvian twist at his newest restaurant. The chef uses quinoa, almond milk and cinnamon to make his version.

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 783-0941
(202) 783-0941

Also featured in:

Johnny Pistolas

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The Mexican taqueria bar in the former Tom Tom's space serves up a boozy version of its horchata by adding rum.

2333 18th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 817-3255
(202) 817-3255

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Lauriol Plaza Restaurant

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Quite the scene on the weekends, Lauriol Plaza may be known for its pitchers of margaritas, but what's overlooked is its horchata. While it's part of the non-alcoholic menu, the bartenders at Lauriol Plaza probably wouldn't bat an eye adding some rum to the mix.

1835 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 387-0035
(202) 387-0035

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Mia's Coffeehouse

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[Photo: Facebook]

101 15th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 546-0838
(202) 546-0838

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

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Any place that advertises itself as a Mexican kitchen better have horchata on its menu. And Jose Andres delivers with its version, using rice and then topping the drink with cinnamon.

401 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 628-1005
(202) 628-1005

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Taqueria Juquilita

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This is a very secret spot. Only open on the weekends, those who love authentic Mexican food have to jump through hoops to get inside what is basically someone's Columbia Heights apartment. Along with the tacos al pastor, they also serve horchata. Just good luck finding the spot.

1445 Park Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Taqueria Nacional

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Taqueria Nacional's version of horchata is Spanish-style all the way. They use chufa nuts (another name for tiger nuts or earth almonds) to make their milky drink. The only question is how many tacos to order with the horchata.

1409 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 299-1122
(202) 299-1122

The Fainting Goat

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The Dude Chata is the ultimate in horchata cocktails. Using goat's milk horchata, the drink includes a 12 year old rum, some coffee liqueur and Ancho Reyes for a little kick. Perfect drink to get when diving into the restaurant's famous goat cheese fondue.

1330 U St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
(202) 735-0344
(202) 735-0344

Also featured in:

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Bourbon Coffee DC

2101 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Two delicious things put together – bourbon and coffee. The cafe has several outlets on the East Coast, including in Cambridge, Massachusetts and New York City. But if you want horchata with espresso, order the horchatte.

2101 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 525-1886
(202) 525-1886

China Chilcano

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Jose Andres has taken the Mexican drink and gave it a Peruvian twist at his newest restaurant. The chef uses quinoa, almond milk and cinnamon to make his version.

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 783-0941
(202) 783-0941

Johnny Pistolas

2333 18th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009

The Mexican taqueria bar in the former Tom Tom's space serves up a boozy version of its horchata by adding rum.

2333 18th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 817-3255
(202) 817-3255

Lauriol Plaza Restaurant

1835 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Quite the scene on the weekends, Lauriol Plaza may be known for its pitchers of margaritas, but what's overlooked is its horchata. While it's part of the non-alcoholic menu, the bartenders at Lauriol Plaza probably wouldn't bat an eye adding some rum to the mix.

1835 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 387-0035
(202) 387-0035

Mia's Coffeehouse

101 15th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

[Photo: Facebook]

101 15th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 546-0838
(202) 546-0838

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

401 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Any place that advertises itself as a Mexican kitchen better have horchata on its menu. And Jose Andres delivers with its version, using rice and then topping the drink with cinnamon.

401 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 628-1005
(202) 628-1005

Taqueria Juquilita

1445 Park Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

This is a very secret spot. Only open on the weekends, those who love authentic Mexican food have to jump through hoops to get inside what is basically someone's Columbia Heights apartment. Along with the tacos al pastor, they also serve horchata. Just good luck finding the spot.

1445 Park Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Taqueria Nacional

1409 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Taqueria Nacional's version of horchata is Spanish-style all the way. They use chufa nuts (another name for tiger nuts or earth almonds) to make their milky drink. The only question is how many tacos to order with the horchata.

1409 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 299-1122
(202) 299-1122

The Fainting Goat

1330 U St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

The Dude Chata is the ultimate in horchata cocktails. Using goat's milk horchata, the drink includes a 12 year old rum, some coffee liqueur and Ancho Reyes for a little kick. Perfect drink to get when diving into the restaurant's famous goat cheese fondue.

1330 U St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
(202) 735-0344
(202) 735-0344

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