Orgeat syrup is one of the most etherial cocktail ingredients that has such a wonderful taste. You can buy orgeat syrup, you can also make your own. It’s easy to turn almonds into a tiki drink lover’s best friend. Fun fact, orgeat is also known as liquid marzipan, so if that’s your favorite sweet treat, you are in luck.

raw almonds for orgeat syrup — Start with raw almonds roasting in the oven for a few minutes.

Before you start making this treat, which is really easy, do make sure you have enough time to let it sit before finishing. This is anywhere from 3 to 12 hours.

orgeat syrup being made — The beginnings of orgeat syrup in simple syrup on the stovetop

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Orgeat Cocktail Syrup

Make your own almond based orgeat cocktail syrup. Great for tiki drinks!

Ingredients

2 Cups Raw almonds
1.5 Cups Sugar
1.25 Cups Water
1 Tsp Rose water or orange water
1 Oz. Vodka

Instructions

Toast your almonds in a 400° oven. Spread them evenly in a pan or baking dish with sides.
Once removed from the oven, use a blender or food processor to pulverize the almonds.
In your saucepan on the stove, combine your sugar and water to make a simple syrup. Make sure it doesn't boil, so you can combine your ingredients and then turn up the heat to about medium.
When your syrup is clear and just about to start boiling, add your pulverized almonds to the saucepan.
Stir things around a bit, and as your mixture comes to barely a boil, cover it and remove from the heat.
Let your almond syrup chill for a minimum of 3 hours, maximum of 12 hours.
Strain into a bowl or other container with a cheesecloth. Fold it so there are at least 3 layers or so.
Strain in small batches and discard your sugary almond bits.
Once your strained concoction is complete, add your rose or orange water and vodka.
Funnel into a storage container, and pop it in the fridge! This should last you about a month in the fridge.

Cheesecloth, Grade 90, 18 Sq Feet, Reusable, 100% Unbleached Cotton Fabric, Ultra Fine Cheesecloth for Cooking-Nut Milk Bag, Strainer Filter (Grade 90-2 Yards) (Kitchen)

$39.99 ($3.33 / Count)

Wild Soil Terra Preta Almonds – Higher Protein and Higher Vitamin E Than Other Almonds, Beyond Organic: Eco Farmed with Proprietary Root Technology, Raw (Grocery)

$26.99 ($0.56 / Ounce)

Cortas Combo Pack – 1) Cortas Rose Water 10 Fl. Oz., & 2) Cortas Orange Blossom Water 10 Fl. Oz – Total 2 Bottles (Unknown Binding)

$11.99 ($0.60 / Fl Oz)

A few notes about making orgeat syrup at home:

Use raw almonds! Those fancy salted and flavored almonds are not good, so skip the varieties and just go for raw.

You can leave the skins on – this helps your finished syrup look pretty.

Definitely use a blender or food processor to pulverize the almonds. Otherwise, it’s a long afternoon with lots of cursing.

almonds and cheesecloth for orgeat syrup — Finished almonds and cheesecloth

Adding the vodka helps it keep in the fridge. I’ve also read that vodka helps with maintaining microbial balance and helps to draw the oils out of the almonds. Do I have the science to back this up? NOPE. But the vodka will let your orgeat last longer.

You can also use an ounce of brandy, but because I have lots of leftover vodkas and I covet brandy, I use the vodka.

Be sure to shake up your orgeat before using it, the smaller gritty particles will settle out.

There will be a hot mess of almond grit after you strain everything through the cheesecloth. You can cook and bake with this if you like. It makes a delightful addition to a pie crust or even a cake bottom.