What does orgeat taste like?
Orgeat tastes like sweet liquid marzipan: almond syrup with a floral hint of orange blossom or rose, rich and silky, and it's what makes a mai tai taste nutty.
Orgeat
sweet almond, orange blossom
Orgeat (say 'OR-zhat') is a cocktail syrup made from almonds, sugar and a few drops of orange flower water or rose water. On its own it's very sweet, like marzipan or almond cookies, with a milky, slightly cloudy look and a silky weight. In a drink you barely notice it as almond. Instead, it rounds out sharp lime and strong rum, adding a soft nuttiness and a floral lift. It has no alcohol of its own, but you'll almost only meet it in cocktails, especially tiki drinks.
Where you’ll see it
In the mai tai, where it's essential, plus the scorpion, the Japanese cocktail and lots of modern tiki drinks and sours. Some coffee shops use it as an almond syrup in lattes.
Order a drink with it if you like amaretto, marzipan or almond croissants and want a cocktail that's soft, not sharp.
Quick questions
- Does orgeat have alcohol?
- No. It's a non-alcoholic almond syrup, though you'll almost always find it in cocktails. Some homemade versions add a splash of spirit to help it keep.
- Does orgeat contain nuts?
- Yes, it's made from almonds, so skip it with a tree nut allergy. Some bars make versions with other nuts, so always ask.
- Is orgeat the same as amaretto?
- No. Both taste of almond, but amaretto is a liqueur with alcohol and a bitter-almond flavor. Orgeat is a sweeter, milkier, alcohol-free syrup with a floral touch.