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Orgeat syrup is a sweet French blend initially made from a fusion of barley and almond. The intense taste of almonds is an excellent source of flavor for cocktails and certain meals.
Today, Orgeat includes sugar, almond, rose water, and lemon. Famous for its sweet, almondy taste, Orgeat syrup is an essential component of Mai Tai’s and Tiki Drinks and could end up being your next go-to for a party if you haven’t tried it before.
How To Say Orgeat
The pronunciation of Orgeat is a common faux-pas. You pronounce the beloved almond-based syrup ôr-zhä'(t). Another way to visualize the pronunciation is OHR-ZHAT.
It is a word that originates from the Latin term “hordeaceus,” which translates to “made with barley.” Most present-day Orgeat has forsaken this ancient ingredient, but the original syrup was a barley and orange water infusion.
Where To Find Orgeat Syrup
You can easily find Orgeat syrup in most well-stocked liquor stores, supermarkets, and spirit shops, and it’s readily available online from retailers like Amazon.
However, if you’re making Mai Tai’s or Tiki’s at home for guests and have to have Orgeat but can’t find any available – read on! We’ll be showing you all the best Orgeat substitutes so that you always know the right alternative to pick for each of your favorite drinks.
Orgeat Substitute: The Best Alternatives for Orgeat
The following Orgeat substitutes will help you out of a bind but keep in mind that the flavor won’t be as rich and complex as the original. However, it still beats not being able to make that Mai Tai! So here are the top alternatives.
1. Almond Syrup
Almost syrup is the closest Orgeat substitute. You can use it to flavor all types of cocktails, drinks, and coffees.
The sweet, nutty flavor adds the rich taste of almond to any recipe it’s added to, and you can use it to flavor both hot and cold beverages. Some bottlers use the term almond syrup and Orgeat syrup synonymously, but they’re two distinctly different drinks.
Almond syrup doesn’t have the same depth of flavor nor the subtle accents that lift the taste of your cocktails, but it is intensely nutty. We recommend adding a little extra sugar if you’re substituting.
2. Amaretto
Expect a slightly more bitter taste when using Amaretto as an Orgeat substitute. The root term Amaro in Italian translates to bitter, which should give you a good idea of what to expect.
You’ll also be missing the softness and flavor of rose water if opting for Amaretto as an alternative, but it works well if you get the quantity right. The only downside to trying out this high-end liqueur is the price – it’s typically much higher priced than our other suggestions.
However, to create an effective, authentic-tasting Orgeat substitution, make a mixture using ⅓ flower water and ⅔ Amaretto, and it’ll be a close match to Orgeat syrup.
3. Homemade Orgeat Syrup
Here’s the simplest method for making Orgeat at home:
- Combine equal parts of sugar and water.
- Heat the water, dissolving the sugar while stirring constantly. When all the sugar has dissolved, allow the mixture to cool.
- Add 1/8th of the quantity of almond syrup.
- Blend in a few drops of orange extract.
- Add rose water, tasting until you reach the flavor desired.
It’ll take some to make the authentic syrup, but it’s worth it. Follow this Orgeat syrup recipe if you’re looking for the real deal:
- Blanch two cups of almonds by placing them in a pot of rapidly boiling water for exactly 60 seconds (don’t allow them to soak for longer, or they’ll be soggy)
- Rinse the almonds with cold water.
- Place your almonds in a colander and squeeze each one by one so that they pop out of their skin.
- Either allow the almonds to dry out the open, covered, overnight, or put them in the oven at 210ºF until they’re dry.
- Pulse the blanched almonds in a blender or food processor until finely ground.
- Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar and 1/4 cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Stir constantly until dissolved and then boil for a further three to four minutes.
- Add the ground almonds and simmer at low heat for another three minutes.
- Bring the pot to a boil, remove it from the heat, and cover as soon as the boiling point is reached.
- Leave the covered blend to infuse for eight hours.
- Strain the mixture through double-layered cheesecloth.
- Discard the almonds.
- Blend in an ounce of brandy and 1/2 teaspoon of orange flower water.
- Mix well and funnel in bottles or jars.
4. Almond Milk
Almond milk is a worthy substitute for Orgeat if you’re looking for the almond taste but can’t find any other alternatives. We’ve got another reliable recipe to try if you want Orgeat and only have almond milk available.
Combine a cup of almond milk with half a cup of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract and orange flower water. It won’t last as long as a boiled-down syrup, but it’ll work great for a night of drinks.
5. Falernum
Falernum is a favorite in the Caribbean, carrying the taste of ginger, lime, and almost just like Orgeat. Many consider Falernum to be the direct spicy alternative to Orgeat, just with a much richer, more velvety aftertaste.
You get both alcohol and non-alcohol Falernum, and both work great as an Orgeat syrup substitute. The alcoholic versions are typically very low in alcohol and contain rum.
6. Other Syrups
Mai Tai’s and other cocktails may call for Orgeat syrup, but you can replace them with other varieties. Alternative syrups like grenadine, orange syrup, and pomegranate molasses are great replacements for Orgeat.
A quick-to-make alternative to Orgeat that tastes similar is made from boiling up equal quantities of sugar and water. Dissolve all the sugar, allow it to cool, and add in two to three drops of almond or orange extract.
7. Juices
If you don’t want to try any of the Orgeat substitutes suggested above, another good option is pineapple or orange juice. Use pineapple juice instead of Orgeat in recipes like Mai Tai’s, and the taste will be close.
Try Orgeat Substitutes Over Fruit Or In Cocktails
You can use these Orgeat substitutes for cocktails or sweet treats. Try drizzling Orgeat or any of these other alternatives over ice cream or an array of fresh fruit.
It pairs especially well with peaches, nectarines, and plums. What is your favorite way to use Orgeat? Do you have a favorite substitute? We encourage you to share your findings in the comments section below.