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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Condiments

    Updated: Jun 3, 2024 · Published: Nov 23, 2022 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Homemade Orgeat (Almond Syrup)

    Jump to Recipe

    This homemade orgeat syrup recipe is an excellent, homemade flavor enhancer and sweetener for cocktails, especially tiki drinks. Use it when you want a subtle nutty, floral flavor added to your drinks instead of a plain old simple syrup.

    Orgeat almond syrup in jar with blanched almonds on the side.

    With only a few ingredients, a food processor, and a small pot, you can make this tasty liquid sweetener for multiple uses.

    It is mostly used in tiki drinks like the mai tai or in seltzers. However, it has other uses in flavoring non-alcoholic drinks like coffee, mocktails and lemonades or dishes like ice cream, cakes, and fresh fruit or fruit salads. It gives an extra sweetness and flavor.

    If you like this orgeat, I think you'll also like my cocktail syrups recipe.

    Jump to:
    • What is Orgeat Syrup?
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Orgeat
    • Orgeat Cocktails
    • Substitutes
    • Storage Tips
    • Orgeat FAQs
    • More Syrup Recipes to Try
    • 📋Recipe

    What is Orgeat Syrup?

    Orgeat (pronounced or · zhat) is a syrup made from ground almonds, sugar, orange flower water and sometimes alcohol like vodka or brandy. It is similar to simple syrup and is used to flavor cocktails and/or food. It has a milky, opaque appearance.

    Ingredients

    Blanched almonds, sugar, brandy and orange flower water prepped and labeled on blue background.
    • blanched almonds - Blanched almonds are just almonds with the skin removed. They will produce a better-tasting syrup without any bitterness.
    • white sugar - Use white granulated sugar.
    • brandy (optional) - To extend the shelf life.
    • orange flower water - Also called orange blossom water.

    *Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

    How to Make Orgeat

    Ground almonds in food processor.

    Step 1. In a food processor, pulse the blanched almonds until finely ground.

    Sugar and water in pot with wooden spoon.

    Step 2. Add the sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.

    Ground almonds in pot with sugar water.

    Step 3. Stir in the ground almonds.

    Ground almonds in sugar water in pot with lid.

    Step 4. Remove from heat and cover with a lid. Let sit for at least 3 hours or up to 12 hours.

    Orgeat almond syrup in nut milk bag over jar.

    Step 5. Strain the mixture through 2 layers of cheesecloth or a nut bag and discard the ground almonds.

    Orgeat in jar with brandy.

    Step 6. Add the brandy and orange flower water to the syrup.

    Orgeat in jar with lid on wooden plate.

    Step 7. Funnel the syrup into bottles. Your syrup is now ready to use!

    Orgeat almond syrup in jar with lid.

    Orgeat Cocktails

    Mai tais in cocktail glasses with umbrella, mango slice, mint sprig and straw on black background.

    Here are some common orgeat drinks that you can use this syrup in:

    • Mai Tai - a rum-based cocktail with Curaçao liqueur and lime juice
    • Trinidad Sour - a whiskey-based drink with bitters and lemon juice
    • Momisette - Pastis-based (anise flavored spirit)
    • Scorpion - fruity, rum-based cocktail
    • Fog Cutter - fruity with white rum, gin and brandy
    • Eastern Sour - citrusy bourbon drink
    • Old-Fashioned - whisky drink with bitters and sugar

    Substitutes

    Pumpkin seed powder in a glass bowl.

    Besides using ground almonds (the best choice in my opinion), you can make this syrup with other nuts and seeds such as:

    • pumpkin seeds
    • macadamia nuts
    • pistachios
    • peanuts
    • pecans
    • hazelnuts
    • cashews
    • chestnuts
    • sesame seeds, etc.

    If you are looking for an alternative to the syrup itself, amaretto liqueur does have a sweet, nutty flavor but has a high percentage of alcohol. Almond extract has the almond flavor but you would need to sweeten it.

    Falernum is also an almond syrup but it is spiced so it may not work in all beverages as a substitute.

    Storage Tips

    When storing orgeat in the refrigerator, it can last for up to two to three months, in an airtight container; a squeeze bottle is perfect! The liquor in it will help to keep it from going bad. Omitting the alcohol will give it a shorter expiry.

    If you see signs of mold or a bad odor, throw it out.

    If you have a large quantity of orgeat syrup after making it, you can also freeze it. It can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 4 months. The aroma and flavor will fade over time so it’s best to use it within this timeframe.

    Orgeat FAQs

    Is orgeat gluten free?

    Yes, it is gluten free, as almonds and other nuts and seeds are naturally gluten free.

    Does orgeat contain alcohol?

    Orgeat syrup is typically non-alcoholic, but some recipes call for some brandy to extend the shelf life. Therefore, it will make your drinks alcoholic, but not too strong. If you wish to make it non-alcoholic, you can omit the brandy.

    What does orgeat taste like?

    Because of the almonds, sugar and orange flower water, it has a sweet, nutty flavor with a hint of citrus-floral. Some store-bought brands have various flavors like cinnamon, vanilla or rose water, but this homemade recipe is simpler, which makes it more versatile.

    What are the origins of orgeat?

    The word ‘orgeat’ comes from the French word ‘orge’, meaning ‘barley'. Orgeat started as a mixture of water and barley. Almonds were later added for flavor.

    As the years went on, almonds fully replaced the barley and orgeat became an almond syrup. Today, it is known for having a floral aroma for its use of rose water or orange flower water.

    Orgeat syrup in jar with spoon and blanched almonds on the side.

    More Syrup Recipes to Try

    • Pure maple syrup in bottle.
      How To Make Pure Maple Syrup
    • Pumpkin spice syrup in bottle with pumpkin pie spices in a spoon.
      Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup
    • Grenadine syrup pouring from spoon into small glass jar.
      Homemade Grenadine Syrup
    • Gingerbread latte and gingerbread coffee syrup.
      Gingerbread Coffee Syrup (+ Latte)

    If you tried this Homemade Orgeat (Almond Syrup) Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Orgeat almond syrup in jar.

    Homemade Orgeat (Almond Syrup)

    Joss Dyckson
    This homemade orgeat syrup recipe is an excellent, homemade flavor enhancer and sweetener for cocktails made with ground almonds. Use it when you want a subtle nutty, floral flavor added to your drinks instead of a plain old simple syrup.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 minute min
    Resting Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 11 minutes mins
    Course Condiment, Flavoring
    Cuisine French
    Servings 20 tablespoons
    Calories 138 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups blanched almonds
    • 1 ½ cups sugar
    • 1 ¼ cups water
    • ¼ cup brandy - optional - to extend shelf life
    • 1 ½ teaspoons orange flower water - also called orange blossom water

    Instructions
     

    • In a food processor, pulse the almonds until finely ground.
      2 cups blanched almonds
      Ground almonds in food processor.
    • Add the sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
      1 ½ cups sugar, 1 ¼ cups water
      Sugar water in pot.
    • Stir in the ground almonds.
      Ground almonds in pot with sugar water.
    • Remove from heat and cover with a lid. Let sit for at least 3 hours or up to 12 hours.
      Ground almonds in sugar water in pot with lid.
    • Strain the mixture through 2 layers of cheesecloth or a nut bag and discard the ground almonds.
      Almond syrup getting filtered through nut milk bag.
    • Add the brandy and orange flower water to the syrup.
      ¼ cup brandy, 1 ½ teaspoons orange flower water
      Orgeat in jar with brandy.
    • Funnel the syrup into bottles.
      Orgeat in jar with lid on wooden plate.

    Equipment

    • Squeeze bottle
    • Food processor
    • Small saucepan
    • Nut milk bag

    Notes

    • This recipe makes about 1 ¼ cups syrup.
    • You can leave out the alcohol but just be aware this will give the syrup a shorter expiry date.
    • When storing orgeat, it can be refrigerated for up to two to three months, in an airtight container; a squeeze bottle is perfect! If you see signs of mold or a bad odor, throw it out.
    • If you have a large quantity of orgeat syrup after making it, you can also freeze it. It can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 4 months. The aroma and flavor will fade over time so it’s best to use it within this timeframe.
    • Orgeat is mostly used in tiki drinks like the mai tai or in seltzers. However, it has other uses in flavoring non-alcoholic drinks like coffee and lemonades or dishes like ice cream, cakes, and fresh fruit. It gives an extra sweetness and flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.003gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 1IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.4mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

    Want to see our recipes in action?Subscribe to our channel on Youtube!

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