Quick Answer
The closest official Starbucks horchata drink in 2026 is the Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso on the summer menu, which uses blonde espresso shaken with oat milk, cinnamon, and a horchata flavoured syrup. For an off menu version you can order anywhere, ask for an Iced Blonde Latte with almond milk, 3 pumps of cinnamon dolce, 2 pumps of white chocolate mocha, and a heavy cinnamon dust.
A Grande iced version lands around 190 calories with 150 mg of caffeine.
What real horchata is made of
Traditional Mexican horchata, properly called horchata de arroz, is built from long grain white rice, almonds, cinnamon sticks, and sometimes a piece of vanilla pod, all soaked in water overnight and then blended and strained. The result is a soft, milky drink with toasted nut flavour, gentle rice starch body, and a strong cinnamon finish.
Spanish horchata uses tiger nuts (chufa) instead of rice, but the flavour idea is similar: nutty, slightly sweet, very cold.
How Starbucks recreates that profile in a cafe
Starbucks cannot soak rice overnight in a busy drive thru, so the cafe build leans on three components to mimic the original.
- Almond milk. Brings the nutty, slightly sweet profile of the soaked almonds in real horchata, with a lighter body than dairy.
- Cinnamon dolce syrup and cinnamon dust. The signature warm spice. Cinnamon dolce is sweet and slightly buttery, very close to the toasted cinnamon you get in scratch horchata.
- White chocolate mocha sauce. Stands in for the round, creamy mouthfeel that condensed milk or simple syrup add to traditional horchata.
The off menu Iced Horchata Latte build
Use this build to order at any Starbucks location.
- Order a Grande Iced Blonde Latte made with almond milk.
- Substitute the standard classic syrup for 3 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup.
- Add 2 pumps of white chocolate mocha sauce for body.
- Ask for a heavy cinnamon powder dust shaken into the drink before the ice goes in, not just sprinkled on top.
Optional: top with a small layer of vanilla sweet cream cold foam for a dessert finish.
The Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso (official 2026 menu)
If you would rather order something straight off the board, the summer 2026 menu carries the Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. It is built with blonde espresso, oat milk, ice, cinnamon, and a horchata flavoured syrup, shaken to integrate the air. The flavour is cleaner and less sweet than the off menu latte above, and the oat milk adds a smoother body than almond.
Hot version for cold mornings
To make the hot version, order a Grande Hot Blonde Latte with steamed almond milk, 3 pumps of cinnamon dolce, 2 pumps of white chocolate mocha, and cinnamon dust on top of the foam. The almond milk does not foam quite as densely as dairy, so ask the barista for extra foam if you want a thicker cap.
Calories, sugar, and caffeine
| Grande 16 oz | Calories | Sugar (g) | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iced Horchata Latte (off menu, almond milk) | ~190 | 24 | 150 |
| Hot Horchata Latte (off menu, almond milk) | ~210 | 26 | 150 |
| Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso (menu) | ~120 | 14 | 170 |
Caffeine is high because blonde espresso has roughly 30 percent more caffeine than the signature dark roast. If you are caffeine sensitive, ask for a single shot instead of the standard double.
Customisations that work
- Lower the sugar. Drop the cinnamon dolce from 3 pumps to 2 and skip the mocha. Saves about 8 g of sugar.
- Add brown sugar. Two pumps of brown sugar syrup adds the toasted molasses note of horchata negra.
- Try coconut milk. Different from traditional, but the coconut fat amplifies the cinnamon beautifully.
Making the real thing at home
If you want the original, blend 1 cup of white rice, 1/2 cup of blanched almonds, a 2 inch cinnamon stick, and 4 cups of water in a high speed blender. Strain through a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth, sweeten with 1/4 cup of sugar, chill for at least 4 hours, and serve over ice with a final dust of ground cinnamon.
The takeaway
You do not need to wait for a limited release to drink horchata at Starbucks. The Iced Blonde Latte with almond milk, cinnamon dolce, white chocolate mocha, and heavy cinnamon dust is a faithful, year round substitute, and the seasonal Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a great lighter option when it is on the menu.
FAQs about How Do You Make A Starbucks Horchata Drink
Does Starbucks have a true horchata syrup?
Only seasonally, as part of the Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. Outside that window, the off menu build using cinnamon dolce plus white chocolate mocha gets you very close to the same flavour and is available year round.
What milk works best for the horchata flavour?
Almond milk is the closest match to traditional horchata de arroz because the soaked almonds are part of the original recipe. Oat milk gives a smoother, creamier body if you prefer a richer drink.
Can I make a decaf horchata latte?
Yes. Ask for the Iced Blonde Latte with decaf espresso shots. The flavour and texture stay almost identical, and the caffeine drops to under 20 mg from the trace amounts in decaf espresso.
Why is the cinnamon dust important?
It is the signature aroma of horchata. Shaking the powder into the drink rather than dusting it on top distributes the flavour throughout every sip instead of just the first one.
Is the horchata oatmilk shaken espresso available everywhere?
It launched first in North America for summer 2026 and is rolling out to select European and Asian markets in waves. Check your local Starbucks app menu before you go.
Pairing horchata drinks with food
Cinnamon and almond profiles pair beautifully with breakfast pastries. The off menu Iced Horchata Latte goes well with the cinnamon coffee cake, the chocolate croissant, or any morning bun. The seasonal Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is lighter and works better next to savoury items like the bacon Gouda sandwich or the spinach feta wrap, where the cinnamon balances the salt.
Avoid pairing with citrus heavy pastries; the lemon acidity flattens the cinnamon dolce note and the drink loses its signature warmth.
