Creamy rice atole with cinnamon and vanilla is a gentle, warming breakfast drink. This vegetarian, family-friendly beverage is a fresh, comforting traditional Mexican morning staple.
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed rice, water, and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so rice does not stick.
Remove the lid, pour in the milk, sugar, salt, and continue to simmer on low heat, stirring often, for another 15 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
Take the saucepan off the heat, remove the cinnamon stick, and stir in the vanilla extract. Serve warm.