RumChata Horchata

RumChata Horchata Cream Liqueur. RumChata, Pewaukee, Wisconsin — a cream liqueur built on five-times-distilled Caribbean rum blended with real dairy cream, rice, vanilla, and cinnamon to recreate the traditional Mexican horchata flavoring in a bottled, shelf-stable form, producing one of the most popular cream liqueurs in the United States.

RumChata was created in 2009 by Tom Maas, a spirits industry veteran who spent years in senior marketing roles at major distilleries before developing the formula. Inspired by the traditional Mexican horchata — a cold beverage made from rice milk, cinnamon, and vanilla — Maas combined that flavor profile with Caribbean rum and dairy cream. The resulting liqueur found immediate success as an alternative to Irish cream liqueurs, offering a distinctly American-Latin flavor profile that differentiated it from the dominant cream liqueur category.

The cream is genuine dairy cream, which is why RumChata requires refrigeration after opening. The rice and vanilla are real ingredients, not artificial flavorings. The five-times-distilled Caribbean rum base provides a clean, smooth alcohol foundation that doesn't compete with the cream, vanilla, and cinnamon character. The result is a drink that works as a sipping liqueur, a shot, or a cocktail ingredient.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich vanilla and cinnamon with creamy dairy richness. Warm and inviting — the horchata flavors are immediately recognizable and authentic.
• Palate: Smooth and creamy with real dairy richness. Vanilla and cinnamon dominate alongside hints of sweet rice. The Caribbean rum provides warmth without aggression.
• Finish: Smooth and warming. The cinnamon lingers pleasantly with the vanilla and cream in a long, comfortable close.

Specs

• Producer: RumChata, Pewaukee, Wisconsin (founded 2009)
• Base: Five-times-distilled Caribbean rum
• Ingredients: Real dairy cream, rice, vanilla, cinnamon
• ABV: 13.75% (27.5 Proof)
• Size: 750ml
• Storage: Refrigerate after opening

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does RumChata taste like? Rich vanilla and cinnamon with creamy dairy richness on the nose. Smooth and creamy on the palate with vanilla, cinnamon, and sweet rice. Smooth, warming, cinnamon-and-vanilla finish.
• What is horchata? A traditional cold beverage popular in Mexico and throughout Latin America made from rice milk, cinnamon, and vanilla — naturally sweet, creamy, and lightly spiced. RumChata takes that flavor profile and adds five-times-distilled Caribbean rum and real dairy cream to create a bottled, shelf-stable cream liqueur version.
• What cocktails work with RumChata? Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot (RumChata + Fireball), Horchata White Russian (RumChata replacing Kahlua and cream), RumChata Float (over vanilla ice cream), or simply poured over ice. Also excellent in coffee, hot chocolate, or as a dessert topping.
• Does RumChata need to be refrigerated? Yes, after opening — the real dairy cream content requires refrigeration. An unopened bottle is shelf-stable.