Ingredients

• 1 cup blanched whole almonds
• 2 cups boiling-hot water
• 1/2- to 1-inch piece cinnamon stick
• 1/3 cup sugar, or to taste
• Freshly grated zest of 1 lime
• 2 cups ice plus additional for glasses
• Garnish if desired: cinnamon sticks and lime zest

Instructions

1. In a blender combine all horchata ingredients except ice and let stand in blender 5 minutes. Blend mixture on low speed and gradually work up to high speed (use caution when blending hot liquids). Blend mixture on high speed 3 minutes. Add 2 cups ice and blend until melted.
2. Pour mixture through a large sieve lined with a double layer of dampened cheesecloth into a bowl, stirring, and discard solids.
3. Fill 4 tall glasses with additional ice and horchata and garnish with cinnamon sticks and lime zest. Flavor of horchata improves if made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.