Orgeat - toasted almond instead of baked

First post in a looooong while... So, I usually make my own orgeat and I usually bake the almonds a bit before pulverizing them. This time I thought I'd toast them and the results quite unexpected. The orgeat is a dark brown color (thanks to the toasted almonds) and has a very distinct nutty flavor to it. Not bad at all, but made a Mai Tai take on a different characteristic.

How are you toasting your almonds? I've yet to make my own orgeat but I would personally try to roast or toast them as I like how BG Reynolds' orgeat is a bit toasty or spicy in comparison to most. I think that's because he keeps the brown skins on them? I'm not sure.

I've baked them before, but didn't let them get too golden in colour. Toasting slivered almonds in the frying pan definitely make the more crispy and definitely a deep golden brown. Leaving the skins on does make the orgeat more brown in colour, but doesn't affect the taste much, I find. This was the first time I've tried making it without almond milk, so it's not that off-white colour we're normally used to seeing orgeat as.

Orgeat Works makes theirs by toasting the almonds. I like it, the toasting does come through in the orgeat and nice little added complexity in my opinion.

For sure! I find both the toasted method and baked methods are distinctly different but equally as good in their own way.

he Samoan Fog Cutter is definitely a superior recipe; I think even the Vic's replaced the old recipe with this one?

If you're new to mixing tiki drinks, though, I'd try a '34 Zombie or a Navy Grog next. You'll be hearing those angels again in no time