New drink wants to dethrone matcha.

Once considered less prominent than matcha lattes or bubble tea, horchata is emerging as a new addition to summer menus at many cafes, restaurants, and bars across America and Europe.

Horchata at Wahaca is in fierce competition with matcha latte. Photo: Wahaca .

This sweet, slightly creamy drink is familiar in Spain and Mexico. Depending on the version, horchata can be made from rice, cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, or pickled and pureed tiger root, then chilled. Its flavor is often described as similar to cereal milk, both easy to drink and evoking a sense of nostalgia.

Attention to horchata has clearly increased recently. In the US, Starbucks brought back the horchata iced shaken espresso to its summer menu, and also added a new horchata frappuccino version. According to The Guardian , this drink surpassed previous seasonal iced espresso shakes, with a growth rate of 44%.

In England, where horchata wasn't previously very popular, the drink is starting to appear in many variations. Some cafes serve "dirty horchata" with espresso, similar to how "dirty chai" was once popular.

"People really love it," said a representative from Tacos Padre in London about the horchata drink that's becoming a customer favorite. Photo: James Moyle.

On social media, the Mexican-style horchata recipe has also spread, often combining rice, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar, sometimes adding milk for richness.

In Mexico, horchata belongs to the aguas frescas group, which are fresh, non-alcoholic beverages. The traditional version usually does not use milk. Meanwhile, Spanish horchata, popular in Valencia, is made from tiger root and served with fartons, the region's characteristic long flatbreads.

In London, several Mexican shops sell bottled or pre-mixed horchata. The drink is described as cool, sweet, smooth, with a distinct cinnamon flavor, and easy to drink on hot days.

According to statistics from The Guardian , in the three months leading up to the time of this article, Google searches in the UK for "what is horchata" increased by 30%, while "Horchata Mexico" increased by 20%. The keyword "Horchata BuzzBallz" was also considered a "breakthrough," meaning search volume increased by more than 5,000%.

Sabina Palermo, founder of Hi Cacti in Brighton, said she predicted horchata would become a trend. Her shop now serves hot and cold horchata lattes, matcha horchata, chai horchata, and coconut horchata. She also continues to experiment with new flavors such as rose syrup.

According to Palermo, in Mexico, horchata is a familiar drink to children, so it easily evokes a sense of nostalgia. As Mexican culture gains more attention in the UK, this drink also has the opportunity to move beyond its native community to reach a wider audience.

Horchata, with its sweet, slightly creamy flavor, was formerly popular in Spain and Mexico, and is now spreading to many countries around the world . Photo: @guadalajaratacospr.

Horchata's appeal doesn't stop at cafes. Many bars are starting to use it as a base for cocktails. In London, the Viajante87 bar serves a rum-based horchata colada.

Horchata has many advantages that make it a great summer drink. It's refreshing, easy to drink, not too picky about taste, and can be styled in many ways. For coffee lovers, horchata pairs well with espresso. For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, it's a great alternative to milk tea or other sweet milk drinks. At bars, horchata easily becomes the base for rich, aromatic, and unique cocktails.

Horchata at Hi Cacti in Brighton evokes a nostalgic feeling with its sweet, creamy, and cool taste. Photo: Martin James Burton.

Another important point is the cultural story behind it. As tourism in Mexico and interest in Latin American cuisine increases, horchata is not just a new drink, but also a way for consumers to access flavors associated with memories, street food, and family meals.

From a traditional drink, horchata is being transformed by cafes, restaurants, and bars into lattes, matcha, cocktails, ice cream, flan, and desserts. While matcha once dominated thanks to its eye-catching green color and "healthy" image, horchata has the advantage of being cool, slightly creamy, and pleasant to the palate.

Source: https://znews.vn/them-mon-moi-muon-soan-ngoi-matcha-post1655371.html