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Copycat Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai Recipe

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Copycat Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai Recipe

By Sandra · · Updated

Homemade rice horchata with strawberry syrup and brewed chai, served over ice. Prepare the horchata base ahead.

About 4 servings·4 hr 15 min

Recipe reviewed 29 Sep 2026. How we test recipes.

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WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients

Servings4
  • Horchata Base
  • Strawberry Syrup
  • Chai Tea
  • To Serve

METHOD

How to make it

Preparing the Horchata:

  1. Soak the Rice: In a blender, combine the rinsed rice, 4 cups of water, and a cinnamon stick. Let this mixture soak for at least 4 hours or overnight in the fridge for best results. This soaking process is crucial for achieving the authentic horchata flavor.
  2. Blend & Strain: After soaking, blend the mixture on high speed until it’s as smooth as possible. Then, using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the mixture into a pitcher. Ensure to press or squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  3. Sweeten: Stir in the ½ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the strained liquid. Taste and adjust the sweetness as desired. Chill the horchata in the fridge until it’s ready to serve.

Making the Strawberry Syrup:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, mix the chopped strawberries, ½ cup sugar, and ½ cup water. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved completely.
  2. Simmer & Strain: Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the strawberries have softened and the syrup has taken on a vibrant red color. Remove from heat and strain the syrup, discarding the solid bits. Allow it to cool.

Brewing the Chai:

  1. Steep the Chai: Steep the chai tea bags or loose tea in 1 cup of boiling water for about 5 minutes or according to the tea’s brewing instructions. Aim for a strong brew, as it will be diluted with ice and horchata.

Assembly:

  1. Mix: In a large glass, combine 1 cup of the prepared horchata with a desired amount of the strawberry syrup—start with a tablespoon and adjust according to your taste. Add the brewed chai tea. Stir well.
  2. Serve: Fill the glass with crushed ice. Garnish with slices of fresh strawberry and a sprinkle of cinnamon or chai spice on top.

Copycat Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai

More in this article 5 sections
  1. Tips for Perfecting Your Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai:
  2. What to serve with
  3. Ingredients Substitutes
  4. Final Thoughts
  5. More Dutch Bros Recipes:

Copycat Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai Recipe

Copycat Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai Recipe

Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai is a unique beverage offered by Dutch Bros Coffee, a popular coffee chain in the United States. It combines several flavors to create a refreshing and slightly spicy drink.

Tips for Perfecting Your Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai:

  • Quality Ingredients: The quality of your chai and the ripeness of your strawberries can make a big difference. For the best flavor, opt for a good-quality chai and ripe, sweet strawberries.
  • Adjusting Sweetness: The sweetness level of this drink can easily be adjusted according to personal preference. Feel free to tweak the sugar amount in the horchata and the strawberry syrup.
  • Chill Your Horchata: For a refreshing drink, ensure the horchata is well-chilled before serving. You can even freeze some horchata in ice cube trays for an extra chilled beverage without diluting it.
  • Experiment: Don’t be afraid to play around with the ratios of horchata, strawberry syrup, and chai. Making it a few times will help you find your perfect balance.

What to serve with

The strawberry, cinnamon and chai flavors go well with cinnamon rolls, pound cake or scones with strawberry jam. For something savory, try empanadas or spinach and feta puffs.

Ingredients Substitutes

Creating a delightful Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai can be a fun and rewarding experiment. However, sometimes you might find yourself missing an ingredient or two. Luckily, plenty of substitutes can help you get close to the original taste and texture with what you have on hand.

Horchata Base

  • Long-Grain White Rice: If you don’t have long-grain white rice, any non-aromatic white rice will work, such as short-grain white rice or even jasmine rice for a slight floral hint. Brown rice is an alternative, though it will result in a darker and slightly nuttier horchata.
  • Cinnamon Stick: If you don't have a cinnamon stick, you can substitute ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon. The flavor might be slightly more intense, so adjust according to your taste.
  • Sugar: If you’re out of regular white sugar, feel free to use an equivalent amount of honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup. These will slightly alter the flavor profile, but they can add an exciting twist to the traditional horchata.
  • Vanilla Extract: For those without vanilla extract, the inside of a vanilla pod can be scraped into the mix for a similar flavor. Almond extract can also work, but use it sparingly as it’s more potent than vanilla.

Strawberry Syrup

  • Fresh Strawberries: When fresh strawberries aren’t in season, frozen strawberries are a perfect substitute. There’s no need to thaw them before use; just increase the simmering time slightly to reduce the liquid to the right consistency.
  • Sugar: Besides the alternatives mentioned above (honey, agave nectar, maple syrup), you could also try coconut sugar for a slightly different sweetness. Adjust the amount based on the sweetness level of the fruit and the alternative sweetener’s sweetness compared to sugar.

Chai Tea

  • Chai Tea Bags: If chai tea bags are unavailable, you can create a pseudo-chai with black tea bags and a homemade spice mix. Include ground spices like cinnamon, cardamom, clove, ginger, and nutmeg. For 2 chai tea bags, use 2 black tea bags and add ¼ teaspoon of the mixed spices directly to the brewing tea.
  • Boiling Water: While not exactly a substitute for a stronger chai flavor, you can simmer the tea and spices directly in a pot of water on the stove instead of steeping them in boiling water. This method allows the spices to impart more flavor.

Final Thoughts

Dipping into homemade beverages can be immensely satisfying, especially when the result is as delightful as this Dutch Bros Strawberry Horchata Chai. Whether you enjoy it as a personal treat or share it with friends and family, this unique blend will impress.

More Dutch Bros Recipes:

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