If you are in the mood to whip up some cocktails in your kitchen but don’t want to buy all of the ingredients necessary for it, orgeat is a great ingredient to have on hand.
Orgeat is an almond syrup used primarily in drinks like Mai Tais and Mojitos but is also a great sweetener in desserts and other drinks.
It has a sweet and nutty flavor and is a great stand-in for any of your favorite syrups or ingredients.
Orgeat can also easily be purchased in most grocery stores, usually in the mixers section.
However, if you don’t want to buy it or need a substitute for another liquid in your drink, five of the most popular substitutes are here.
What is Orgeat?
It’s important to note that the name “orgeat” comes from a Latin word meaning barley.
However, the syrup is made from crushed almonds and sugar instead of barley.
Orgeat is a classic cocktail ingredient derived from an old French drink called Orgeade.
Many people might be familiar with this syrup used in the original Mai Tai recipe as a sweetener.
Orgeat is a traditional syrup that’s been around for several centuries, and it’s generally used as a cocktail syrup or an ice cream topping.
Orgeat is also referred to as “orge” or “almond syrup”.
It has a rich flavor that comes from almonds, but you can substitute the almonds with other nuts, such as macadamia nuts, if you’re trying to avoid them for dietary reasons.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Orgeat
If you need a substitute for orgeat for your cocktail recipe, you’ll find that there are several good alternatives available.
1 – Almond Syrup
Almond syrup will vary depending on the brand you use.
However, this substitute for orgeat is generally made with sugar and water.
You’ll find that there are numerous options available.
The flavor from almond syrup will be milder than orgeat.
However, the two syrups are roughly analogous to one another.
In addition, most people won’t notice a significant difference between these two flavors.
It’s important to note that almond syrup is easy to make at home, and it may take as little as fifteen minutes.
You can also purchase almond syrup online if you’re having trouble finding a brand that sells high-quality options.
2 – Agave Nectar
This is the raw sap collected from agave plants.
This sap typically takes several days to extract since it comes out of the ground slowly.
The advantage of using agave nectar in place of orgeat is that it offers a neutral sweetness.
In addition, this syrup will be particularly good for people trying to avoid high fructose corn syrup.
Agave nectar typically has low levels of acidity and bitterness, but you will need to experiment with the dose until you get it right.
It’s crucial to note that you should stick with 100% agave nectar as it is typically rated as “raw”.
In addition, agave syrup may be labeled as organic if you want a high-quality product.
3 – Amaretto
Amaretto is a sweet liqueur that’s made from bitter almonds.
This almond-flavored liqueur typically has a strong almond flavor and a sweet aftertaste.
However, it’s crucial to bear in mind that this liqueur will have a different taste from orgeat syrup because it contains sugar and alcohol.
In addition, many people may prefer amaretto as a substitute for orgeat because it lacks the sweetener found in most commercial brands.
Many people opt to use a bit of simple syrup in place of sugar.
You’ll find that both amaretto and orgeat have a delicious, nutty flavor.
However, you will need to experiment with the amount until you get it right.
4 – Orzata Syrup
Orzata syrup is a good substitute for orgeat if you need to avoid almonds entirely.
The syrup is typically made from strawberries, sugar, and water.
The flavor is marketed as “chocolate strawberry”.
The taste of orzata syrup is very sweet with a mild berry aftertaste that makes it easy to drink.
In addition, the texture is thick and dense.
Orzata syrup can be found in most grocery stores, and it’s likely to cost less than orgeat syrup.
However, this substitute for orgeat will lack almond flavor.
5 – Falernum Syrup
Falernum syrup is a key ingredient in many tropical drinks, especially rum-based cocktails.
It’s also referred to as “clove syrup” because it has notes of clove and lime.
Falernum syrup typically contains sugar that’s tempered with lime or lemon juice.
This mixture is then combined with cloves and other flavorings.
It’s important to note that falernum syrup is different from orgeat because it’s made with lime juice, cloves, and sugar.
Falernum syrup will not be as sweet as orgeat since the clove flavor reduces the amount of sweetness you need.
However, this substitute for orgeat does contain traces of almond flavor.
There are several brands of falernum syrup available online, but you’ll need to determine if the product contains real orgeat.
You can also make your falernum syrup at home using flavored alcohol and black tea.
Conclusion
Orgeat syrup can be difficult to find, which is why it’s important to have a few substitutes on hand.
Depending on your needs, you can use almond syrup or amaretto.
You can also opt for agave nectar, orzata syrup, or falernum syrup as a substitute for this sweetener.
When using these substitutes to make drinks at home, it’s crucial to experiment with the amount until you get it right.
Orgeat is very sweet and has a unique flavor, which means these substitutes will not offer an exact replication.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Orgeat
Ingredients
- Almond Syrup
- Agave Nectar
- Amaretto
- Orzata Syrup
- Falernum Syrup
Instructions
- Choose your preferred substitute from the list of options.
- Organize all of your ingredients.Follow the substitution ratio to determine how much is required in your recipe.
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