Orgeat

Bar Prep • syrup
Orgeat
Type: syrup Difficulty: medium Yield: About 500–600 ml (roughly 2 to 2.5 cups) Shelf life: 21 days Views: 2

Description

Orgeat is a sweet, lightly floral almond syrup used in many classic cocktails (Mai Tai, Japanese Cocktail) and nonalcoholic drinks. It combines almond 'milk' with sugar and orange blossom water (and optionally a little almond extract) to create a rich, aromatic syrup with a creamy mouthfeel.

History

Orgeat (from French orge meaning barley) evolved from medieval barley-based drinks; over time almonds became the primary ingredient. It has long been used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines and was adopted into Western cocktail culture in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Instructions

Step 1.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (about 200 g) blanched almonds
- 2 cups (480 ml) hot water (for steeping/blending)
- 1 cup (240 ml) water (for simple syrup)
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons orange flower water (to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, to bolster almond aroma)
- 1 tablespoon neutral spirit (vodka) optional — helps preservation
Step 2.
Steps:
1. Heat water until very hot but not boiling. Put the blanched almonds in a heatproof bowl and pour the 2 cups hot water over them. Let steep 30–45 minutes to soften and draw out oils and flavor.
2. Transfer the almonds and their soaking liquid to a blender. Blend on high 1–2 minutes until a very fine paste/milk forms.
3. Strain the blended mixture through a nut-milk bag, several layers of cheesecloth, or a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. Squeeze or press firmly to extract as much liquid as possible. (Optional: rinse the remaining solids with 1/4–1/2 cup hot water and strain again to capture more milk.) The collected liquid is your almond milk.
4. Make a simple syrup: combine 1 cup water and 2 cups sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved; do not need to boil. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
5. When the simple syrup has cooled, combine it with the strained almond milk in a clean bowl or pitcher. Stir to homogenize. Taste and add 1–2 teaspoons orange flower water and up to 1/4 teaspoon almond extract if desired; mix and taste again, adjusting floral note sparingly.
6. (Optional) Stir in 1 tablespoon vodka to help preservation and stabilize flavor.
7. Transfer the orgeat to a sterilized bottle or jar, seal, and refrigerate. Shake well before each use — some separation is normal.
Step 3.
Notes: Adjust the sugar or water slightly to achieve preferred thickness and sweetness. For a drier, nuttier profile, reduce sugar by up to 25%; for a more pronounced floral note, add orange flower water very cautiously (it can dominate).

Storage

Store chilled in a sterilized, airtight bottle or jar in the refrigerator. Shake before use. Use within ~3 weeks for best flavor and safety. Adding ~1 tablespoon vodka can extend refrigerated shelf life by a few weeks; always check for off smells, mold, or fermentation before use.

Quick Info

Views: 2
Created: 2026-01-13 04:07:51
Updated: 2026-01-14 08:07:09