Horchata returns to Madrid every summer as a preamble to the pilgrimage of Madrilenians to the Valencian coast. There are horchaterias in Madrid of all kinds: those that have been preparing the tigernut drink in an artisanal way for more than half a century, specialized kiosks and very modern ice cream parlors that have found suppliers that continue the tradition to the letter.
The etymology of the word has a lot of significance. Legend has it that James I of Aragon (1208-1276) was offered tiger nut milk by a girl and when he tasted it he said: “és or, xata” (in Spanish: es oro, chata). And although the story is not true, but in reality its name comes from Latin: hordeata . Yes, we can imagine more than one Madrilenian saying it and rightly so.
1. Alboraya
Not only is it one of the best ice cream parlors in Madrid, they also have one of the best horchatas in the capital. They prepare more than 200 liters of horchata a day, and you can choose whether to enjoy it on the premises, take it home or order it through their home delivery service.
📍 Calle Alcalá, 125 (Salamanca)
2. Oroxata (formerly La Fábrica de Siempre)
Oroxata (known as La Fábrica de Siempre) is a true institution in the city. It was established in Madrid in 1946, which makes it the oldest horchatería in the capital. It began in the hands of José González and Pepina García, who emigrated from Valencia to Madrid in the post-war period and brought with them the art of making this tigernut drink. The business is now in its 4th generation of master horchateros. They offer homemade fartons, Valencian coca and a variety of ice creams and slushies.
📍 Pedro Tezano Street, 11 (corner with Villaamil, 44) (Tetuán)
3. The Horchata kiosk of Miguel and José
It is worth a visit just for its appearance. Miguel and José; José and Miguel. As you prefer, but both have prodigious hands, as they prepare the three drinks they offer in an artisanal way: barley water, lemon granita and, of course, horchata.
They use tigernut milk imported directly from the Valencian Community and do not use artificial sweeteners. They also offer it without sugar, and fartons are not missing in their menu.
📍 Calle Narváez, 8 (corner of C/ Jorge Juan)
4. Los Alpes Ice Cream Parlor
Helados Los Alpes are the only manufacturers of horchata with D.O. of tigernut milk from Valencia in the Community of Madrid. They have been making horchata since 1975, when the parents of the current managers (Guillermo and Clara) and their aunt (Palmira) took over the business, although their grandparents had been making ice cream since 1950.
According to what Isidro Tenorio, from the Heladerías Los Alpes team, tells in the video, Guillermo Castellot, father, used to get up early in the morning to go to Alboraya and his horchata friends taught him how to make this tiger nut drink. So it is not surprising that it is a must on our list.
📍 Calle Arcipreste de Hita, 6 (Chamberí)
Any of them is a good choice to enjoy in Madrid this delicious and refreshing drink that tastes like summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSz8gVrVswg
5. Mamá Elba
In Mamá Elba they sell an artisanal horchata produced by Casa Diego in Madrid with tigernut milk from Alboraya (Valencia). In this ice cream shop in La Latina they explain in their Instagram the process experienced until they found a quality horchata: “It was hard for us to find it a lot. It resisted us. It was hiding, although one day it was a master horchata maker who knocked on our door”. That’s how they found one of the best tigernut milks in the city. It is also worth the visit to try their ice creams.
📍 Calle de la Ruda, 15 (La Latina)