ORGREAT RECIPES

Steps:

• Place the almonds in a bowl and cover with cold water and allowed them to soak for 30 minutes.
• Drain and discard this water, then crush the almonds using a rolling pin, or you could use a food processor to chop them to a fine grind.
• If you need to, you can add some of the water to the food processor.
• Transfer the crushed almonds to a large bowl and mix them with the water, let stand for one to two hours.
• Place a damp cloth or cheese cloth in a mesh filter, over another bowl, and strain the almond and water mixture – squeeze the cloth to extract all the liquid.
• Put the chopped almonds back into the almond water, let it stand for another hour and then strain again.
• Repeat a third time if you wish.
• This is will get all the oils out of the almonds.
• Note: To speed up the process you can gently heat the almond water to 50°C (125°F). If you do this, you can cut the soak times to about 15 minutes.
• Pour the strained liquid into a pan, discard the almond pulp, add the sugar and cook over gentle heat, stirring constantly.
• Remove from the heat when the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then add the brandy or vodka and the orange flower water.
• Store the orgeat in a clean glass bottle.
• Once the orgeat has cooled down it is ready to use.

Steps:

• Add the sugar and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes. This is creating the syrup base.
• While you're waiting, blend the almonds in a food processor until they are finely ground.
• Add the ground almonds to the syrup and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the burner and cover with a lid. Steep for 3-4 hours.
• After it has steeped, strain the mixture into a large bowl using a cheesecloth or very fine mesh strainer.* Throw the almond grounds away.
• Add the orange blossom water, rosewater, and brandy (optional) to the syrup. Stir to combine.
• Pour the homemade orgeat syrup into a lidded container. Store in the fridge for 2-4 weeks, depending on if you used brandy or not as a preservative.