First things first, If you don’t know what Horchata is, be ready to discover a summer classic refreshment in Spain. Horchata is an ice-cold drink, originally from Valencia, made with tiger nuts (“chufas”), water, and sugar. In fact, we have to thank the Muslim presence in Valencia during the 8th-13th centuries for this delicious drink.

And where can you find a traditional and fresh horchata in Madrid made with “chufas de Valencia”? At the beginning of the 20th century I could have told you: anywhere! There were around 300 little roadside kiosks offering refreshments! But today, there’s only one still standing.

At the same place where you could have found it 75 years ago, “Kiosco de Horchata Miguel y Jose” is run by the fifth generation of the same family. It serves not only Horchata, but also natural lemon slush, “agua de cebada” (an old “madrileña” drink made from barley) and the super-refreshing “gusalim”, a mix of lemon slush and mint syrup.

You can order a cup or a jar to take away or stay in the little corner bar and pause everything for a moment. Anyhow, don’t forget to take a look atthe pics on the front that tell the long history of this kiosk!