Orgeat Syrup

Almond syrup with orange-flower water — tiki's signature sweetener.

Syrups & Sweeteners France (historically)
Flavor profile: sweetfloral

Orgeat (pronounced or-ZHAHT) is an almond syrup historically scented with orange-flower water and sometimes rose. It is the defining sweetener of the Mai Tai, where Trader Vic's original 1944 recipe specifies orgeat alongside orange curaçao and rum. Real orgeat made from almond milk is dramatically better than supermarket almond-syrup products. Small Hand Foods and Liber & Co. make outstanding commercial orgeats; it is also worth making at home.

History

Orgeat derives from 'hordeaca,' a Latin word for barley — the original medieval barley syrup evolved into the almond-based syrup by the 17th century.

Common uses

Mai Tai, Japanese Cocktail.

Cocktails that use Orgeat Syrup

  • Mai Tai — Aged Jamaican rum, orgeat, orange curaçao, and lime — the tiki benchmark

Substitutes

  • Simple Syrup — Misses the almond and floral character entirely.