Horchata de Ajonjolí
A refreshing Puerto Rican sesame drink made with lightly toasted sesame seeds, water, and sugar. Blended, strained, and served cold, it has a delicate toasted flavor and a naturally milky appearance without dairy.
Equipment
- Large dry skillet
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Large plate
- Blender
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Clean food-grade nut-milk bag or fine straining cloth
- Large bowl
- Measuring cups
- Kitchen scale
- Pitcher with volume markings and at least 1.5-liter capacity
- Four serving glasses
Ingredients
SESAME DRINK
- 1 cup raw hulled white sesame seeds approximately 140 g
- 4 cups cold drinking water approximately 950 ml, divided, plus extra as needed to adjust the final yield
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 g
OPTIONAL FOR SERVING
- Ice cubes as desired
Instructions
- Place the sesame seeds in a large, dry skillet over medium-low heat. Toast for approximately 4–6 minutes, stirring continuously, until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from the heat before the seeds become dark brown.
- Immediately spread the toasted seeds on a large plate. Let cool for approximately 10 minutes. Do not leave them in the hot skillet, where they can continue browning.
- Place the cooled seeds and 2 cups of the measured cold water in the blender. Blend for 1–2 minutes, or until the seeds are finely ground and the liquid looks milky. Follow your blender’s operating limits and pause if necessary.
- Set a fine-mesh strainer lined with a clean nut-milk bag or fine straining cloth over a large bowl. Pour in the blended mixture. Let it drain, then gently squeeze the bag or cloth with clean hands to extract the liquid.
- Return the strained sesame pulp to the blender. Add the remaining 2 cups measured water and blend again for approximately 30–60 seconds.
- Strain the second mixture into the same bowl, gently squeezing to extract the liquid. Set aside the remaining solids; they are not part of the finished drink.
- Add the sugar to the strained sesame liquid. Stir until completely dissolved.
- Transfer to a measuring pitcher. Let excess foam settle briefly, then add enough cold water to bring the finished drink to exactly 4 cups. Stir thoroughly.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed, adding sugar 1 teaspoon at a time and stirring until dissolved.
- Cover and refrigerate for approximately 1 hour, or until thoroughly cold.
- Stir well before serving. Divide among four glasses, approximately 1 cup per serving before ice. Add optional ice to individual glasses.
Notes
SESAME SEEDS
Use raw, hulled white sesame seeds for a light-colored drink with a delicate flavor. Black sesame seeds produce a different color and flavor.
TOASTING
Aim for pale gold and a fragrant toasted aroma. Dark or scorched seeds can make the drink bitter. Transfer the seeds out of the hot skillet immediately after toasting.
STRAINING
A fine cloth or nut-milk bag produces a smoother drink than a standard kitchen sieve alone.
The second blending extracts more flavor from the sesame solids. Keep the final yield at four cups so the drink does not become overly diluted.
SWEETNESS
The recipe uses ¼ cup sugar. For a less-sweet drink, begin with 2 tablespoons and adjust after tasting.
NO MILK REQUIRED
The pale, milky appearance comes from blending the sesame seeds with water. This version contains no dairy, rice, eggs, or alcohol.
TEXTURE
The finished drink should be light and pourable, with a gentle sesame flavor. It should not resemble thick tahini or a milkshake.
NATURAL SEPARATION
Some settling is normal because the drink contains no stabilizers. Stir before serving.
STORAGE
Keep covered in the refrigerator and use within 2 days for best quality. Refrigerate promptly after preparation.
ALLERGENS
Contains sesame. This drink is not suitable for someone with a sesame allergy.