🇵🇦 Panamanian Cuisine

Chicha de Arroz

Rice Cinnamon Drink

Prep Time 10 min
Servings 6
Difficulty Easy
Calories 174 kcal

A sweet, creamy rice drink flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg — Panama's refreshing answer to Mexican horchata.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1 Soak rice in 2 cups water for 4 hours or overnight.
  2. 2 Blend soaked rice with its water until very smooth.
  3. 3 Strain through a fine mesh strainer, pressing to extract all liquid.
  4. 4 Combine rice liquid with remaining water, milk, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla in a pot.
  5. 5 Simmer 10 min, stirring. Remove cinnamon sticks. Add nutmeg.
  6. 6 Cool, refrigerate until cold. Serve over crushed ice.

Did You Know?

At Panamanian parties, the chicha de arroz disappears faster than any alcoholic drink — kids and adults fight over the last cup.