Orgeat

/ˈɔrʒɑt/ noun

Definition

A sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and rose water or orange flower water, used in cocktails and desserts. It has a distinctive almond flavor and milky appearance.

Etymology

From Arabic شَرَاب اللَّوْز (sharāb al-lawz), meaning 'almond drink.' The word entered English through French orgeat in the 18th century, derived from Provençal orjat. Originally, it was a barley-based drink before becoming almond-focused.

Kelly Says

Orgeat started as a barley drink in ancient times, but Arabic almond cultivation transformed it into the sweet, floral syrup we know today! Tiki bars made orgeat famous in mid-century America, not knowing they were serving a drink with roots in medieval Islamic Spain.

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