All Your FAQs About Orgeat Syrup And Its Uses, Answered
You may be forgiven if you don’t know what the hype about orgeat (pronounced oar-zshott) syrup is. But it is a magic potion that should occupy a place in your bar. A sweet and delicious syrup that’s made out of almonds, sugar, rose water, and orange flower water, it is the key ingredient in a lot of classic cocktails including the Mai Tai and the Japanese Cocktail. It’s rather popular and a mixologist's favourite on account of its nutty taste that helps balance out citrus juices and spirits in drinks. So, if you’re wondering how to add orgeat syrup to your cocktails, here are some frequently asked questions that we’ve answered for you.
Q. What does orgeat syrup taste like?
Orgeat syrup has a sweet, nutty flavour profile, thanks to a pronounced hint of almonds. It also has citrusy and floral notes because of the rose water and orange flower water. All in all, it lends the cocktails a rich, creamy, and aromatic palate that does so well in most tiki cocktails.
Q. How is orgeat syrup made?
Making orgeat syrup at home is rather easy. For this, you’ll need 150 gms of raw almonds blanched (soaked in water and then skin removed), 500 ml of water, 800 gms of granulated sugar (that’s right, this isn’t a typo) and 1 teaspoon each of rose water and orange flower water.
To boil your almonds, place them in boiling water for about two minutes. Drain and rinse them in cold water and peel off the skin. Then, blend them in 250 ml of water until it’s a fine paste. Then using a cheesecloth, place the paste in it and squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can. Psst: this is also how almond milk is made!
To prepare the syrup, combine the almond milk and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. This will take about 15 minutes. Once the syrup has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool for a bit. Then gently add the rose and orange flower water. If you like a stronger floral flavour, feel free to add more rose water or orange flower water. If you want a smooth syrup, you can strain this, but that’s optional. Once the syrup has completely cooled, you should store it in an airtight container and refrigerate it.
Q. Is orgeat syrup non-alcoholic?
It is 100 percent non-alcoholic as making it doesn’t require any spirit or distillation.
Q. Can I use orgeat syrup in mocktails too?
You sure can! It goes really well in an Almond Orange Mocktail, Almond Berry Fizz, Almond Rose Lemonade, and Tropical Almond Punch.
Q. How long does orgeat syrup last?
It only lasts for three weeks, so use it well in time.
Q. Are there any nut-free orgeat syrup alternatives, if I have an allergy?
If you have a nut allergy, you can simply substitute the almonds with sunflower seeds, but make sure that they’re unsalted. For the sunflower paste, you’ll need to toast them in a dry pan until they’re lightly golden. Then, combine the seeds with two cups of water in a blender and blend until smooth and then strain in a cheesecloth.
Q. What are some creative uses for orgeat syrup? Can orgeat syrup be used in cooking or baking?
Luckily, orgeat syrup has such a delicious and unique taste that it goes in a plethora of recipes. You can make Orgeat Lemonade, Orgeat Iced Coffee, Orgeat Milkshake, and Orgeat Creamsicles using vodka. It’s also a fabulous marinade for seafood, a glaze for pastries, and a delicious ice cream sauce. You can also dress your salad or yoghurt with it.
