Combine the rice, cinnamon sticks, and 2 cups of hot water in a bowl with a lid. Allow it to sit for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight if desired.
Once the rice water and cinnamon sticks have soaked for a while, transfer it to a blender. Incorporate 2 additional cups of water and blend on medium until all the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
Separate the rice and cinnamon bits from the mixture by straining.
Ensure that the stems are removed from the strawberries and keep approximately 10 strawberries separate from the rest of the pound.
Add the sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla extract to the blender along with the remaining strawberries.
Combine and blend thoroughly, then filter into the rice water mixture.
Stir the strawberry milk mixture and rice water together until thoroughly incorporated, and add an additional cup of water into the mixture.
Cut the remaining 10 strawberries into thin slices.
Combine ice and sliced strawberries in a serving pitcher, then proceed to pour the prepared strawberry horchata into the pitcher.
Notes
Make Vegan: Swap the whole milk with your favorite plant-based milk, such as almond milk or coconut milk, to make a delicious vegan version of this horchata.
Use Brown Rice: For a healthier twist, substitute white rice with brown rice, which adds more fiber and nutrients to your horchata drink.
Chill Before Serving: Allow the horchata to chill in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving. This gives the flavors time to meld together, resulting in a more delicious and refreshing beverage.