Leche Merengada with Vanilla

Nov 1, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Drinks Drinks beverages Vanilla: Extract Easy

Leche Merengada with Vanilla: Leche Merengada with Vanilla, sweet citrus and cinnamon milk, served in an appropriate…

Sweet citrus and cinnamon milk. A homestyle take on a drink from Spain, made with easy-to-find ingredients. Makes 2 glasses in about 19 minutes.

Prep 12 min

Cook 7 min

Flavor Vanilla

Serve Hot

Total 19 min

Yield 2 glasses

Diet Gluten free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

glasses

2.0 tsp (4.0 g)lemon zest, finely grated
1 ¼ cups (300.0 ml)pasteurized whole milk
2.0 tbsp (26.0 g)granulated sugar
14.0 tbsp (120.0 g)ice cubes
½ tsp (1.0 g)ground cinnamon
½ tsp (3.0 ml)pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

Warm lemon zest, finely grated, milk, sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Keep heat on medium-low, tasting the sweetness and spices after 5 minutes.
Strain any zest or large spice pieces; do not allow the milk to scorch.
For this original vanilla adaptation, add 3 ml pure vanilla extract to the prepared base and stir or blend until evenly dispersed; if it is a spice or chopped solid, hydrate, infuse or melt it in the warm phase, then strain if necessary.
Divide the warm milk into two heat-safe mugs and serve.

Tips

Perishables must not sit at room temperature longer than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make leche merengada with vanilla?

Plan on 12 minutes of prep and 7 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 2 glasses.

How should I store leche merengada with vanilla?

Serve immediately; dairy drinks: refrigerate at or below 40°F / 4°C if not serving.

Can I make leche merengada with vanilla ahead?

Best made just before serving. Serve immediately; dairy drinks: refrigerate at or below 40°F / 4°C if not serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 0.5 tsp pure vanilla extract (3 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Sweet citrus and cinnamon milk. A homestyle take on a drink from Spain, made with easy-to-find ingredients. Makes 2 glasses in about 19 minutes.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 2 servings this recipe makes.

150 Calories / serving

5.1g Fat

21.1g Carbs

5.0g Protein

21.1g Sugar

Whole recipe (2 servings): ~300 cal · 10g fat · 42g carbs · 10g protein · 42g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.