I Tried Taco Bell's New Horchata-Inspired Drinks, And 2 Were Standouts

Taco Bell is shaking up its beverage lineup with the launch of four new horchata-inspired drinks. Bell Heads on Reddit have been clamoring for horchata for years, and apparently Taco Bell has been listening. While the new drinks aren't classic horchata, they're the closest thing yet, as the restaurant is adding horchata flavor to a Chiller, a Cold Brew, and two Refrescas. The Mexican-inspired fast food chain has been clear about its goal to reach $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030, and this latest move may be a part of the company's strategy.

I first got a taste of Taco Bell's horchata-inspired efforts in May, when the chain introduced its Cold Foams. The lineup included Purple Velvet Cream, a flavor inspired by the sweet, vanilla-and-cinnamon flavors of horchata. This time, I headed back to Taco Bell for another taste of horchata — but four times as many. Did the new drinks capture the essence of the classic sweet, creamy beverage? Let's find out.

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

I tasted the four new drinks at Taco Bell's Live Mas Cafe in Irvine, California. I was given early access to the full lineup of new beverages, which included the Vanilla Spiced Horchata Refresca, Strawberry Horchata Refresca, Purple Horchata Chiller, and Chocolate Horchata Cold Brew Float.

No tasting order was recommended, so I tried the lighter Refrescas first, followed by the heavier Chiller and the Cold Brew. I evaluated each drink one after the other by taking several sips and noting its sweetness, horchata-inspired flavor, and overall drinkability. I had sips of water between each tasting, and I also enjoyed the drinks with some complimentary Taco Bell fare to see how well they matched the brand's food. In the end, I was able to draw clear conclusions about Taco Bell's new horchata-inspired beverages.

Taco Bell gave fans a first taste of the Strawberry Horchata Refresca earlier in 2026 at its Live Más Live event in Los Angeles. This new beverage boasts a creamy, milky appearance with a subtle pink hue and is topped with freeze-dried strawberry pieces for color, crunch, and a cute, playful touch. Cinnamon and vanilla bring horchata-inspired flavors, while a swirl of juicy strawberry syrup adds fruity flavor and a pop of color.

I love that the Strawberry Horchata Refresca is moderately sweet with just a light sprinkling of tartness to keep things interesting. It strikes a great balance between creamy, fruity, and refreshing without being overly sugary. It has a medium-bodied texture that reminds me of the milk left in the bowl after eating Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries — a wonderful, nostalgic memory for me. The cinnamon is well balanced with the strawberry and adds a warm touch. Served ice-cold and packed with crushed ice, the Strawberry Horchata Refresca is super refreshing.

Taco Bell is further expanding its Refresca lineup with a second horchata-inspired drink. With the Vanilla Spiced Horchata Refresca, it brings the classic cinnamon-and-vanilla flavor combination to its chilled beverage menu. The new drink has a creamy, milky appearance and is served ice-cold, packed with crushed ice.

This Refresca tasted pretty much like any good horchata I've had, just with a thinner consistency. It's a little more watery than traditional horchata, but not in a bad way. I imagine most horchata fans would find this drink quite delicious and refreshing. If you've been wanting Taco Bell to add horchata to its menu, I highly encourage you to give this drink a try. I think it comes remarkably close to the real thing.

The cinnamon and vanilla flavors are up front, and the whole drink reminds me of cinnamon rice pudding in drink form. I have to add that this drink pairs really well with Taco Bell's tortilla chips and nacho sauce, making it a fun option to sip alongside a salty snack.

Taco Bell's Chillers are frozen blended drinks that lean sweet. The chain first introduced them in a limited Southern California test run in 2023.

A Taco Bell representative described the new Purple Horchata Chiller as the company's take on a milkshake — and it certainly delivered on that front. My main issue, however, was that it leaned heavily toward vanilla, with very little cinnamon flavor. Was it good? Yes, quite good. But it was missing the distinctive horchata flavor I was expecting. Visually, though, the drink stands out. It's quite eye-catching with its distinctive purple hue, a swirl of purple syrup, and a fluffy cloud of whipped cream on top.

I didn't find the Purple Horchata Chiller particularly well-suited to the savory food I sampled at the tasting, and it was sweet enough that I didn't feel the need to pair it with a dessert. Instead, I consider this Chiller a standalone indulgence when a sweet craving hits or a cool way to soothe my palate after eating a Diablo sauce-topped Crunchwrap Supreme.

I've been a fan of Taco Bell's Cold Brew since trying it at its official launch in May. In case you missed my review, I found it to be one of the best cold brews I've ever tried. It had a smooth finish and a rich, full-bodied flavor. So, when I heard Taco Bell was pairing its Cold Brew with vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate, I was really excited to give the new Chocolate Horchata Cold Brew Float a try.

The Cold Brew Float looks just as indulgent as it sounds. It's thick and chocolatey with swirls of dark chocolate syrup throughout. Churro crumbles are blended into the drink, which gives it a nice, full-bodied texture. What did I think? I loved it. The combination of coffee, chocolate, and warm spices is very well balanced, yet the horchata flavor comes through beautifully. It can be enjoyed as a dessert but also as a morning beverage. Just keep in mind that it's a sweet, caffeinated treat, so if you're sensitive to caffeine or sugar, you may want to indulge in this earlier in the day.

I am really impressed with all four drinks. The classic horchata flavors of vanilla and cinnamon are prominent in all of the new beverages, except for the Purple Horchata Chiller. But even with its light horchata flavor, the Purple Horchata Chiller still comes across as a delicious treat.

My two favorites are the Refrescas: Strawberry Horchata Refresca and Vanilla Spiced Horchata Refresca. Both are exceptionally good and wonderfully refreshing. I was doubly impressed with how much the Vanilla Spiced Horchata Refresca tasted like classic horchata. I can imagine it pairing well with just about anything on Taco Bell's menu.

I'm thrilled that both Refrescas are set to launch nationwide in December. After tasting them, I can understand why Taco Bell is expanding its reach. These beverages are a way to attract customers to stop in for more than just a meal. The move also aligns with the company's ambitious beverage goals.

Beginning October 15, Taco Bell will offer the four horchata-inspired beverages at all Live Más Café locations across Southern California, Houston, Dallas, and Las Vegas.  Live Más Cafés operate within select Taco Bell restaurants and feature a curated menu of handcrafted beverages — all made to order by "Bellristas" for a coffee house experience. At the time of writing, pricing is not available for the new items.

The new drinks add the creamy, vanilla-spiced flavor of classic horchata to its Chiller, Cold Brew, and Refresca lineup. All four beverages are limited-time additions to the Live Más Café menu.

The fun continues on December 10, when the Strawberry Horchata Refresca and Vanilla Spiced Horchata Refresca — as well as an additional new drink, Vanilla Spiced Horchata Freeze — will be available at all Taco Bell locations nationwide.