Post #628324 by CincyTikiCraig on Sat, Mar 10, 2012 9:18 PM

Ahu orgeat #1

2 cups of the organic sugar
2 cups of the almond milk
1 cup plain water
4 teaspoons organic almond extract
1 tbsp rose flower water
1/2 cup Cruzan light rum

Combined everything save the rose water and set to boil it in a pot. Once boiling I reduced the heat and simmered it on low (bubbling a good bit) for 25 minutes, whisking occasionally. This was funneled into an empty rum bottle along with the rose water and shaken. Left to cool and rest.

I wanted to resurrect this old topic because I was in a real pinch today, I ran out of my go to Teisseire Orgeat and my shipment won't arrive until next week. Meanwhile, I was jonesing for a Mai Tai really bad this weekend. I bought the Torani, the only orgeat that's sold in the Cincinnati area (aside from the horrible Fee's). Made a round of Mai Tai's with the Torani last night and it was vile. The fake chemical flavor of the Torani ruined my drinks so badly that I couldn't finish mine. I looked through TC for a solution and found this thread, and it saved my weekend.

I made the above recipe and it produced a quick, flavorful and very serviceable orgeat that made a great Mai Tai. I omitted the water in the above recipe and dissolved the sugar directly into the almond milk (the water just seemed like it would dilute the syrup). I also only heated the solution enough to dissolve the sugar and didn't allow it to boil. I also added 1tsp each of both rose water and orange flower water to the syrup after it was off the heat. I didn't use any rum in my orgeat either. I let it cool and, Maita'i roa a'e!, This is some good orgeat. It doesn't have quite the viscosity of a good commercial syrup, but it has a great flavor that's clean and really shines in a drink. Thanks to all of the TCer's who contributed to this great thread, you saved my weekend!

Mahalo,

Craig