This orgeat syrup is easy to make at home and can be added to your favorite cocktails, lemonades, and so much more! The mai tai may be the most famous use of orgeat syrup, but there are so many other ways to enjoy its flavor as well! Simply whip some up, and you'll never need to buy it from the store again!
Homemade Orgeat Syrup Recipe
Orgeat syrup (pronounced or-zhat) is a key ingredient in different cocktails, with the most well-known being a tropical mai tai. However, it can also be added to other kinds of beverages as well (such as Italian soda)!
You can buy orgeat syrup at the store, but why would you when it is so incredibly simple to make your own at home? You can easily control the ingredients (such as sugar content) and save some money while you're at it!
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🥘 Orgeat Syrup Ingredients
Homemade orgeat syrup only uses a few ingredients. It's very similar to simple syrup (also commonly used in cocktails), but with the addition of almonds, some brandy, and orange blossom water!
- Almonds - 2 cups of blanched almonds. You can either buy them from the store already blanched or blanch your almonds at home.
- Sugar - 1½ cups of white granulated sugar.
- Water - 1¼ cups of water.
- Brandy - 1 ounce of brandy; use your favorite kind!
- Orange Blossom Water - ½ teaspoon of orange blossom water (or orange flower water). You can buy this at the store or easily make your own at home!
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Orgeat Syrup
Making orgeat syrup is as easy as just boiling the mixture and then straining! You will need a food processor, a large lid saucepan, and measuring utensils.
This recipe will yield approximately 1½ cups of orgeat syrup. Typically, in a recipe, you won't be using more than about an ounce at a time, so this can make a ton of drinks!
- Grind the almonds. Place 2 cups of blanched almonds into a food processor and pulse them until they are finely ground. Set aside.
- Combine. Place a large saucepan over medium heat and combine 1½ cups of sugar and 1¼ cups of water. Stir until all of the sugar has dissolved, and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Boil. Let the syrup boil for 3 full minutes, and then stir in the finely ground almonds.
- Simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat. Slowly increase the temperature to medium-high. Just before the syrup begins to boil, remove it from the heat and place the lid on the saucepan.
- Sit. Let the syrup sit, covered and undisturbed, for a minimum of 3 hours or up to 8 hours.
- Strain. Strain the mixture through 2 layers of cheesecloth and discard the almonds (or save them for another use).
- Stir. Stir 1 ounce of brandy and ½ teaspoon of orange blossom water into the syrup.
- Store or use. Portion the syrup into jars and store it in the refrigerator, or use it immediately.
Orgeat syrup has a ton of uses! You can mix it into your favorite lemonade, drizzle it over fruit salad, and so much more! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- You can swap out the type of nut used for a tasty variation of this recipe. Instead of almonds, use pistachios or hazelnuts.
- This recipe will yield roughly 1 ½ cups of orgeat syrup.
- Make sure to shake up your bottle of orgeat syrup before using it as it can begin to separate while sitting.
🥡 Storing
Keep your orgeat syrup stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Orgeat is an almond syrup that is used to sweeten cocktails, mocktails, and other beverages. It is made from almonds, sugar, water, orange blossom water and can also contain alcohol.
Yes. Orgeat syrup does need to be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Most commonly, orgeat syrup is used as an ingredient in alcoholic drinks (such as a mai tai, lady liberty cocktail, or a scorpion bowl cocktail). However, you can also use it to replace other sweeteners in cocktails to make your own variation!
Additionally, pair it with some seltzer water, add it to milkshakes, or drizzle it over some dessert!
🍹 Tasty Cocktail Recipes
- White Lady Cocktail - A gin drink made with lemon juice and Cointreau.
- Sidecar Cocktail - A blend of cognac, lemon juice, and triple sec.
- Hot Toddy - A warm cocktail made from whiskey, honey, and lemon juice.
- Whiskey Sour - Whiskey, simple syrup, and lemon juice make up this classic drink!
- Bahama Mama - A rum cocktail that features pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine!
- Blue Lagoon Cocktail - A beautiful and vibrant vodka cocktail that has blue curacao and lemonade!
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📖 Recipe Card
Orgeat Syrup
Ingredients
- 2 cups almonds (blanched)
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1¼ cups water
- 1 oz brandy
- ½ teaspoon orange blossom water (see recipe or use store-bought)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Place your blanched almonds into a food processor and pulse them until they are finely ground. Set aside.
- Place a large saucepan over medium heat and combine the sugar and water. Stir until all of the sugar has dissolved and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Let the syrup boil for 3 full minutes and then stir in the finely ground almonds.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for 3 minutes.
- Slowly increase the temperature to medium-high. Just before the syrup begins to boil, remove it from the heat and place the lid on the saucepan.
- Let the syrup sit, covered and undisturbed, for a minimum of 3 hours or up to 8 hours.
- Strain the mixture through 2 layers of cheesecloth and discard the almonds (or save them for another use).
- Stir the brandy and orange blossom water into the syrup.
- Portion the syrup into jars and store it in the refrigerator, or use it immediately.
Notes
- You can swap out the type of nut used for a tasty variation of this recipe. Instead of almonds, use pistachios or hazelnuts.
- This recipe will yield roughly 1½ cups of orgeat syrup.
- Make sure to shake up your bottle of orgeat syrup before using as it can begin to separate while sitting.
- To store: Keep your orgeat syrup stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Marann says
Hi. I just found this recipe after I came upon the mai tai cocktail recipe. I'd never heard of orgeat syrup,but in my cou ntry, we have orgeat cordial, which we mix with water. I was wondering if I could use a little of orgeat cordial instead of the almonds. Just wondering. Tks for the interesting recipe. I'd like to try it.
Angela Latimer says
They are used interchangeably in cocktails. Both are very similar, thanks for asking!
Marann says
Thanks for your reply. So how much orgeat cordial would I use? A tablespoon, more,less, ? Because it is rather strong. Tks and have a nice day.
Angela Latimer says
I would start with a tablespoon and adjust to taste (my mai tai calls for 3/4 ounce which would be 1-1.5 tablespoons).