This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.

Orgeat is a unique cocktail syrup that’s worth adding to your collection! Here’s more about orgeat syrup and how to use it in cocktails.

Orgeat syrup
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Making a cocktail that calls for orgeat? After ordering a fancy cocktail with it several years ago, we had to Google it. Turns out, orgeat is an almond cocktail syrup with hundreds of years of history. The nutty, citrus vanilla flavor can’t fully be replicated by anything else.

Here at A Couple Cooks, we’re cocktail experts with over 300 cocktail recipes under our belt. After buying a bottle and working with it in our home bar, we found it’s truly something special. Here’s all about orgeat syrup, where to buy it and how to use it in orgeat cocktails!

What is orgeat?

Orgeat syrup is a non-alcoholic almond syrup used for sweetening cocktails and mocktails. It’s made from almonds, sugar, and orange flower water, and has a long history of use in cocktails and bartending. The first printed recipe for orgeat was in a cookbook from 1864, called the The English and Australian Cookery Book. It’s been used in cocktails throughout history, and is most famous for its use in the Mai Tai.

How do you pronounce orgeat? Say Or-ZHAAT, where the “ZH” sounds like the J in the name Jacque.

What does orgeat taste like?

Orgeat has a distinctive nutty flavor with a hint of citrus. Some people liken it to liquid marzipan. It adds a distinct complexity to drinks, and it’s so unique that there’s not a great substitute. Look for it at your local liquor store or online: it’s absolutely worth purchasing.

Should I make homemade orgeat?

No. At least, that’s our opinion! You can make homemade orgeat, but it takes several hours and several steps. You also need lots of almonds and a bottle of orange flower water, which ends up being more expensive than just buying a bottle.

Orgeat is a common cocktail ingredient and available at most liquor stores, so why not buy it? It’s only about $10, and there are lots of great brands out there. It’s also more shelf stable to buy storebought. So skip the homemade recipe and grab a bottle!

How much does it cost?

Orgeat is fairly inexpensive: a bottle usually costs about $10. We used a 8 ounce bottle made by Small Hand Foods and it has great flavor. Here’s a link to buy orgeat syrup online. Some reputable brands are Torani, Monin, Luxardo, and Small Hand Foods.

Orgeat is used in both cocktails and mocktails. You can use it in one of the drinks below, or you can simply use it in place of simple syrup in any recipe for a nutty spin! Keep in mind you may have to add a little more orgeat than simple syrup, since it’s not quite as sweet.

More cocktail recipes

There are so many drinks to try outside of these orgeat cocktails! Here are 300+ cocktail recipes for every occasion:

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Print

Mai Tai with Orgeat

Mai tai
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Here’s how to make the original Mai Tai recipe! Gather the ingredients for this tropical rum drink that’s as complex as it is fruity.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) aged rum
  • ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) orange liqueur: Curaçao, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • ¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) lime juice
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) orgeat syrup
  • ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) dark rum
  • For the garnish: Fresh mint, cocktail cherry, pineapple slice, lime wedge

Instructions

  1. Place the aged rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, and orgeat syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until cold.
  2. Strain the drink into an ice-filled glass. Top with the dark rum. Garnish with fresh mint, a lime wedge, cocktail cherry and pineapple slice. 

Notes

We use this brand orgeat.

Did you love this recipe?

Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star