I fell in love with horchata the first time I tried it. It was at a Mexican restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan where my friend Jason ordered one so I curiously followed suit.
We just finished a bike race in the scorching heat. I had crashed midway through, so my decision-making capacity was open-minded, to say the least.
It was a meant-to-be culmination of something special: my first horchata. It had a creamy and refreshing flavor that wasn’t overly sweet but had just enough indulgence to taste like a guilt-free dessert beverage.
Ever since I’ve been a sucker for all things horchata. So when I learned that horchata protein powder was a thing, I was inspired to try as many of them as I could.
What’s the Best Horchata-Flavored Protein Powder?
While horchata is often viewed as a popular Mexican drink, it comes in various versions found throughout many different countries. In Mexico, horchata is a rice-based beverage that’s typically made with ingredients like rice, almonds, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla.
The flavor of horchata protein powder takes on a similar profile. But some products do it better than others. Here are some of the best horchata protein powders worth trying.
One Sol Lean Plant Protein Powder Horchata
One Sol is a brand that flies under the radar but deserves high praise for its clean ingredients and delicious taste. It’s horchata-flavored protein powder has a creamy, cinnamon-forward flavor that’s not overly sweet like some products.
Accurately labeled as “Lean Plant Protein,” this product is only 110 calories consisting of 21g of protein, 2g of fat, and only 1g of carbohydrates (and zero-sugar). Naturally flavored with cinnamon and rice, it provides an authentic horchata taste in a plant-based protein powder.
The protein blend is a simple pea and brown rice protein combination which provides all essential amino acids. It’s also loaded with vitamins and minerals, including modest amounts of magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc.
While it’s sweetened using monk fruit extract, which is the healthiest no-calorie option, it also uses the artificial sweetener sucralose, which is not the healthiest.
Orgain Plant Protein Powder Horchata-Flavored
Orgain is one of the most popular protein powder brands, but its horchata-flavored product is not as well-known. It’s one of fifteen creative flavors in this product line and it’s one of the best, especially if you like vanilla and coconut-flavored things.
Entirely organic, Orgain’s protein powder blend consists of pea protein, brown rice protein, and chia seed. The combination of Orgain’s creamer base and cinnamon powder provides its horchata flavor profile.
This simple yet complete protein powder is sugar-free but sweetened with stevia leaf extract and erythritol. The latter, erythritol, is a sugar alcohol that’s not particularly healthy, especially for everyday consumption.
The horchata flavor of Orgain Plant Protein Powder is subtle on the horchata but pretty sweet overall. Although it’s organic and vegan, the sweetener combination is a bit intense. There are a lot of things I like about Orgain protein powder, but certain things I don’t.
Still, this is one of the most common horchata protein powders that’s worth checking out if you’re seeking a plant-based option.
Golden Cricket Horchata Protein Powder
As the brand name implies, Golden Cricket’s Horchata Protein Powder is indeed made from cricket protein powder. But before you dismiss this product, hear me out. This protein powder not only tastes amazing, but it’s nutritionally dense as well.
Originating from Austin, Texas, the guys at Golden Cricket have created an innovative product that’s arguably more sustainable than vegan protein powder. They say insect protein is the most nutritious, sustainable, and gut-friendly protein source in the world.
In addition to cricket protein powder being the first ingredient, Golden Cricket’s Horchata Protein Powder also contains pumpkin seed protein and brown rice protein providing a complete protein with all essential amino acids.
Sweetened with stevia leaf and monk fruit extract, it’s entirely sugar-free and contains no artificial ingredients or sugar alcohol. One single-scoop serving is loaded with fiber (8g) and provides 21g of protein.
Although it’s priced at a premium, you get 30 servings per package, so one unit should last you a lot longer than most protein powders. If you try this bug-based, plant-based protein powder, let me know what you think!
Black Magic Protein Powder Original Horchata
This product also deviates from our plant-based roots (sorry, vegans!) but it’s one of the most popular horchata-flavored protein powders. It’s from Black Magic and offers a multi-source blend of whey, egg, and casein.
While it’s far from vegan, one scoop offers 24g of protein, delivering a robust amino acid profile designed for muscle recovery. It’s also low in fat (1.5g) and carbs (4g).
Although the protein powder is considered to be high-quality, it does have sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener. Combined with 3g of sugar, it’s one of the sweetest options out there.
What makes this protein powder shine is its near-authentic horchata flavor. It’s creamy, sweet, and refreshing. But like a lot of other reviews, Black Magic is almost too sweet. So if your sweet tooth is overly sensitive or non-existent, try one of the other products mentioned above.
What’s Your Favorite Horchata Protein Powder?
If you like creamy vanilla and coconut-flavored things, the chances are horchata protein powder will be one of your new favorite types. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Golden Cricket for its taste and nutritional profile.
Golden Cricket’s Horchata Protein Powder delivers a supremely nutritious product that’s free from artificial ingredients and sugar alcohol, and it tastes delicious. If you’re open to consuming a plant-based, insect-based option, give it a try!
Do you have a favorite horchata protein powder that’s not mentioned above? If so, I’d like to know about it. You can leave a comment below or get in touch with me directly.
You Might Also Like
- Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss
- Best Meal Replacement Protein Powder
- Very Best Protein Powder
- The Healthiest Vegan Protein Shakes
About The Author
This article was written by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at VeganProteinPowder.reviews. Tyler is an experienced writer in the health, nutrition, and athletic space. Over his lifetime, he’s tried hundreds of plant-based nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. Learn more about Tyler by viewing his full author bio or by following him on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. Also, visit his website to learn more about what he’s up to.