Wine Enthusiast Magazine / Web 2012 / How To: Make Orgeat Syrup

How To: Make Orgeat Syrup

The secret behind making the syrup that flavors many exotic cocktails.

Many store-bought orgeat syrups are filled with cloying artificial sweeteners. This recipe lends a balanced, nutty flavor to punches and mai tais.

One:

Pulverize 2 cups of toasted almond slivers in a food processor.

Two:

In a saucepan, boil 1¼ cups of water and 1½ cups of sugar for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, then add the almonds and stir for another 3 minutes.

Three:

Let the mixture sit covered for 6 hours, then move it to a jelly bag. Squeeze the liquid into a spouted measuring cup containing 1 teaspoon orange-flower water and 1 ounce vodka and stir. Refrigerated, the syrup will last up to a month. Yields 1¼ cups.