The Lab-Chata is a creamy, cinnamon-spiced horchata cocktail, our RumChata-style pour, built on FLORENA Latte white chocolate liqueur and a spiced vodka. It captures the horchata profile of cinnamon and cream, made richer by the white chocolate, and it takes two ingredients and three minutes. Here is how to make it, spice your own vodka, and turn it into a dirty horchata with coffee.
Ingredients With Notes
- 4.5 oz FLORENA Latte White Chocolate Liqueur
- 0.5 oz FLORENA Vodka with spices (cinnamon, nutmeg)
How to Make It
Fill glass with ice
Fill a rocks glass with ice. Large cubes or a single large sphere works best — the Lab-Chata is rich enough that you want slow, controlled dilution.
Pour FLORENA Latte
Pour FLORENA Latte over the ice. Let it settle for a moment before the next pour.
Add spiced vodka
Slowly pour the spiced vodka over the back of a bar spoon to float it gently on top. This creates a brief two-layer visual before stirring.
Stir 4–5 times
Gently stir to integrate. The Lab-Chata should be unified but not over-mixed.
Garnish
A light dusting of cinnamon across the surface, a cinnamon stick, or a single grating of fresh nutmeg. The spice on the nose is part of the drink.
What makes it taste like horchata
Horchata is all about cinnamon, cream, and gentle spice. This cocktail gets there with FLORENA Latte white chocolate liqueur for the creamy body and a spiced vodka carrying cinnamon and nutmeg. The white chocolate makes it richer and more dessert-forward than a traditional horchata, which is exactly the point.
Spice your own vodka
If you do not have a spiced vodka on hand, make one in minutes. Add a pinch of ground cinnamon and a grating of fresh nutmeg to a measure of FLORENA Diamond vodka, let it sit for five minutes, then pour through a fine strainer. Fresh spice makes a noticeable difference.
Ways to serve it
It is built over ice in a rocks glass, but it plays well in other forms too. Pour it over cold brew or espresso for a dirty horchata, warm it gently for a cozy winter version, or float it on top of hot chocolate.
Variations
- Dirty horchata: build it over cold brew or espresso for a coffee version.
- Warm Lab-Chata: heat gently and top with a cinnamon stick.
- Pumpkin spice version: add a small spoon of pumpkin puree and spice.
Bartender Notes
The simplest drink on the menu
Two ingredients. One technique. The quality of the Lab-Chata is almost entirely about the FLORENA Latte — its white chocolate character is what makes this memorable. Don't substitute.
Spice your own vodka
If FLORENA spiced vodka isn't available, add a pinch of ground cinnamon and a grating of nutmeg directly to a measure of FLORENA Diamond. Let sit 5 minutes, then pour through a fine strainer.
Horchata inspiration
The Lab-Chata takes its cue from RumChata's horchata-based profile — cinnamon, cream, light spice. FLORENA Latte's white chocolate base makes the result richer and more dessert-forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a horchata cocktail?
A creamy, cinnamon-spiced cocktail inspired by horchata. This one uses white chocolate liqueur and a spiced vodka served over ice.
Is this the same as RumChata?
It is RumChata-style, meaning it captures the same creamy, cinnamon profile, but it is made with FLORENA Latte and spiced vodka rather than containing RumChata.
What is a dirty horchata?
A horchata drink with coffee added. Build the Lab-Chata over cold brew or espresso to make one.
How do I spice my own vodka?
Stir a pinch of ground cinnamon and a grating of nutmeg into vodka, rest five minutes, and strain.
What does it taste like?
Creamy and lightly spiced, like a white chocolate horchata: cinnamon and nutmeg over a smooth, dessert-forward body.
Can I serve it warm?
Yes. Heat it gently, do not boil, and finish with a cinnamon stick for a cozy winter drink.