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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Mia's Coffeehouse

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[Photo: Facebook]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Bourbon Coffee DC

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.

China Chilcano

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.

Johnny Pistolas

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

Lauriol Plaza Restaurant

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.

Mia's Coffeehouse

[Photo: Facebook]

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

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.

Taqueria Juquilita

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.

Taqueria Nacional

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.

The Fainting Goat

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.

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