Orgeat (pronounced or-zhaat[american] or or-zsa [french]) is a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and either rose water or orange blossom water. Originally made from barley, it was used as a shelf stable substitute for milk. While you can make your own, there are numerous commercial, high quality options available, such as Small Hand Foods Orgeat Syrup. Be aware, while you can find large quantities of orgeat for cheap (such as Monin or Ferrara), these options usually contain preservatives or artificial flavors to provide the almond / marzipan flavors.
Small Hand Foods Orgeat Syrup
Made from California almonds, apricot kernels, organic cane sugar, orange flower water, and California brandy, Small Hand Food’s Orgeat is very natural and will settle. Shake if this occurs and before using.
Sight: Somewhat cloudy, a hazy yellowish / almond color.
Smell: Nutty, floral, slightly creamy. There’s a touches of marzipan and almond biscuit, as well as a stone fruit like character.
Sip: Nuttiest and floral notes give way toward preserved peaches and apricot. The nuttiness becomes more like pecan pie filling, if it were instead made of almonds. It is also very sweet and creamy, although not unexpectedly.
Savor: The ending carries over marzipan, stone fruit, and creaminess. It lingers sweetly for a while.
Small Hand Foods Orgeat Syrup is very natural tasting, and obviously incredibly sweet and creamy. As this is syrup used for modifying drinks or recipes, you wouldn’t necessarily ever have cause to drink it straight. It is, however, important to understand how it tastes to understand how it will potentially impact the drink. As this is delicious and more subtle, it should contribute similar things.
In Cocktails
Small Hand Foods Orgeat Syrup adds nuttiness and subtle touches of a sweetness. In a Cameron’s Kick, it doesn’t get pushy. Instead it gently adds a sweetness and subtly gives a hint to almonds. There isn’t a lot of weight added. Instead it allows the cocktail to be drier, and plays more background notes.
In Review – Small Hand Foods Orgeat Syrup
Small Hand Foods Orgeat Syrup is subtle, sweet, and flavorful. It doesn’t get pushy, but adds the almond and creamy notes that help build the drink. That said, those expecting something sweeter may find they need to use more to achieve the result they would like. For those willing to pay the extra, we currently recommend keeping Small Hand Foods Orgeat Syrup around.
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