Step 1 of 5

Soak overnight

Put the rice and the broken cinnamon sticks in a large bowl or pitcher and pour the water over. Cover and leave on the counter overnight, or at least eight hours. The rice will swell and go chalky white and the water will smell strongly of cinnamon.

— Do not skip ahead by using hot water. It cooks the outside of the grains and the drink turns gluey rather than clean.