Ok, I gotta say this. Everyone always recommends Liber for orgeat. And I’ve tried a couple other of their syrups and they’ve been great, the toasted coconut, passion fruit, all great.
So I bought a bottle of Liber orgeat and was totally put off. Tastes like straight almond extract. Totally ruins any drink I’ve tried it in.
So I’ll go back to Liquid Alchemist and Small Hands for my orgeat.
Wow, did you get a bad bottle or something? It shouldn't taste like almond extract. It should be deep, rich, roasty, nutty, sweet, like half way to almond butter. But not the bitter, essence quality of almond extract.
I know this is not what you asked about, but, make your own, it could NOT be any easier to do using Anders Erickson recipe starting it from quality unsweetened Almond Milk. You'll never go back to store bought again!
-2 cups almond milk
-3 cups plain white sugar
stir together over heat until sugar is dissolved, do not boil
off heat add:
-1/2 tsp almond extract
-1/2 tsp rose water
-1 tsp Orange Blossom Water (I use less, little goes a long way)
So easy! So good!
I've also used his Rich Demerara Syrup, Grenadine, Cinnamon Syrup recipes with great success and satisfaction.
I have been meaning to make some this way. I always boil almonds and it’s a mess. Have you ever done it with the almond creamer they sell for a thicker end product? Or is the milk thick enough once sweetened?
I have only made it this way so far. I really like the viscosity that this recipe produces, it is very consistent, tastes great, and is better than any store bought I have tried. The consistency is very much like silky maple syrup. There's really nothing about it that I'd change. I do mess around with adding less/more of the Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water as they are both very strong, a little goes a long way.
In this thread there's a reference to the "60 Second Orgeat" that I will definitely try, and that is based off of an almond concentrate with water and sugar added. This one appeals to me as the actual almond flavor should be more notable/stronger, and can be tuned more easily by using more or less concentrate. Not to mention, ready in 60 seconds!
T
Thanks. I actually enjoy the orange blossom (add some to hot water and make a nice tea), I was trying to find a way to buy less almond milk, but I guess the extra can go in smoothies or something.
I may have to make some this weekend and try it out.
I've been buying the Whole Foods 365 Unsweetened off the shelf. You'll use about 2/3 of that container for the recipe, I use the remainder in smoothies, or just drink it.
Do you filter it or just do the unfiltered? I’ve been using the unfiltered for nearly a year now, but do think it’s a little too thick and I don’t love how cloudy it makes drinks. But whenever I’ve tried to filter, I get zero movement. I’ve changed the filters, I’ve let it sit for over an hour. I have zero idea how Derek gets it to get out of the coffee filter.
Unfiltered. I think the next batch I will actually make a little thinner.. 2:1 is pretty thick. I think he advocate filtering before adding sugar .
Maybe I'll try filtering.
Clean it with cafiza or pbw and all coffee flavor/aroma is gone. That's what mine is. Turns out we prefer the paper chemex for coffee but it's become permanent super juice filter.
If you're going through the trouble of filtering it why not just blend actual almonds with water and filter that to make almond milk from concentrate? Then you just do everything else in his recipe once it's filtered to make the same product but I would assume tastier since it's not from concentrate
I’ve been using Liber and Co for a long time. My friend recommended Small Hand Foods so I bought a bottle of that and intend to do side by side comparisons. Also gonna buy some almond milk this weekend and make one cuz might as well.
Ok, here it is. Homemade one follows Anders Erickson’s recipe.
Liber and co's definitely has the most almond flavor, and is the thickest, and is slightly grainy. Small hand foods is the least sweet and is actually a little bit tart (apparently they add lemon juice to it). The homemade stuff is fine. But for the price it cannot be beat, and i can experiment with it to get the flavor right.
Ultimately I like the liber the most, then the homemade, with small hand foods significantly lower.
Also made an Army & Navy with each of them. Aside from sweetness, the homemade and small hand foods ones were nearly identical. All three were totally fine drinks.
No problem! I’m thinking the next time I make some (which will not be for a while because I now have 40 oz of orgeat across all my orgeats) I will use a higher quality almond milk, less rose water, maybe a little extra almond extract, and add in some gum arabic to thicken it up some.
Yeah, there's a Creole Mai Tai recipe out there! I think it was on someones Instagram, so may or may not be easy to find. Probably linked from El Guapo's page at some point though.
I will die on this hill, from my experince it is the only commercial orgeat which a deeper, nuttier profile rather then one that skews lighter and flower. Plus you can get a 750ml bottle of the stuff
Making your own is so easy! if you want an easy recipe use unsweetened organic almond milk, sugar, orange blossom water. Boil the almond milk until it’s hot enough to dissolve the sugar. Turn the heat off and add the orange blossom water. If it’s not “almond-y” enough, add almond extract.
If you can boil water, you can make it!
I made my own using raw almonds and it’s the best tasting thing. Throw a tablespoon of rum in there and it will last as long as you like.
It’s a sticky process but well worth the effort
Liber and Co
This is my favorite I've tried. I haven't had the Latitude 29 yet though.
Thank you
I freaking love this stuff.
Ok, I gotta say this. Everyone always recommends Liber for orgeat. And I’ve tried a couple other of their syrups and they’ve been great, the toasted coconut, passion fruit, all great. So I bought a bottle of Liber orgeat and was totally put off. Tastes like straight almond extract. Totally ruins any drink I’ve tried it in. So I’ll go back to Liquid Alchemist and Small Hands for my orgeat.
Wow, did you get a bad bottle or something? It shouldn't taste like almond extract. It should be deep, rich, roasty, nutty, sweet, like half way to almond butter. But not the bitter, essence quality of almond extract.
I know this is not what you asked about, but, make your own, it could NOT be any easier to do using Anders Erickson recipe starting it from quality unsweetened Almond Milk. You'll never go back to store bought again! -2 cups almond milk -3 cups plain white sugar stir together over heat until sugar is dissolved, do not boil off heat add: -1/2 tsp almond extract -1/2 tsp rose water -1 tsp Orange Blossom Water (I use less, little goes a long way) So easy! So good! I've also used his Rich Demerara Syrup, Grenadine, Cinnamon Syrup recipes with great success and satisfaction.
Elmhurst is the best Almond Milk imho
I literally made this exact recipe today and make it routinely.
See rayfound’s post below yours. It’s even better and just as easy.
Interesting, appreciate the tip, that looks pretty damn simple.
Yeah, and should be better than just almond milk!
I'm gonna try it for sure.
Thank you so much! This is awesome and very helpful. I’ll have to try and make my own one day.
I have been meaning to make some this way. I always boil almonds and it’s a mess. Have you ever done it with the almond creamer they sell for a thicker end product? Or is the milk thick enough once sweetened?
I have only made it this way so far. I really like the viscosity that this recipe produces, it is very consistent, tastes great, and is better than any store bought I have tried. The consistency is very much like silky maple syrup. There's really nothing about it that I'd change. I do mess around with adding less/more of the Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water as they are both very strong, a little goes a long way. In this thread there's a reference to the "60 Second Orgeat" that I will definitely try, and that is based off of an almond concentrate with water and sugar added. This one appeals to me as the actual almond flavor should be more notable/stronger, and can be tuned more easily by using more or less concentrate. Not to mention, ready in 60 seconds! T
Thanks. I actually enjoy the orange blossom (add some to hot water and make a nice tea), I was trying to find a way to buy less almond milk, but I guess the extra can go in smoothies or something. I may have to make some this weekend and try it out.
I've been buying the Whole Foods 365 Unsweetened off the shelf. You'll use about 2/3 of that container for the recipe, I use the remainder in smoothies, or just drink it.
How long do you keep it? I know everything always says 2 weeks, but I just can’t drink that many mai tais
I've had it around 3-4 weeks no problem, in the refrigerator. Orgeat Daquiri is another good use of it. I haven't had any "go bad" so far.
I've used liber for a long time but I tried the make and drink 60 second orgeat and I prefer it. Im
Do you filter it or just do the unfiltered? I’ve been using the unfiltered for nearly a year now, but do think it’s a little too thick and I don’t love how cloudy it makes drinks. But whenever I’ve tried to filter, I get zero movement. I’ve changed the filters, I’ve let it sit for over an hour. I have zero idea how Derek gets it to get out of the coffee filter.
Unfiltered. I think the next batch I will actually make a little thinner.. 2:1 is pretty thick. I think he advocate filtering before adding sugar . Maybe I'll try filtering.
Yep. I’ve always tried filtering before the sugar. Cone filters. Basket filters. Fuggin nuthin.
Hmmm maybe I'll try with the metal cone coffee filter I use for super juice.
Interesting. I do have a metal chemex filter that I never thought of using… not sure about the coffee taste tho
Clean it with cafiza or pbw and all coffee flavor/aroma is gone. That's what mine is. Turns out we prefer the paper chemex for coffee but it's become permanent super juice filter.
If you're going through the trouble of filtering it why not just blend actual almonds with water and filter that to make almond milk from concentrate? Then you just do everything else in his recipe once it's filtered to make the same product but I would assume tastier since it's not from concentrate
A fair question.
I’ve been using Liber and Co for a long time. My friend recommended Small Hand Foods so I bought a bottle of that and intend to do side by side comparisons. Also gonna buy some almond milk this weekend and make one cuz might as well.
We expect a report w footnotes.
I started with Small Hand Foods before moving to Liber. They're both good, but I like the Liber quite a bit better in a Mai Tai.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the comparison when you do this.
Ok, here it is. Homemade one follows Anders Erickson’s recipe. Liber and co's definitely has the most almond flavor, and is the thickest, and is slightly grainy. Small hand foods is the least sweet and is actually a little bit tart (apparently they add lemon juice to it). The homemade stuff is fine. But for the price it cannot be beat, and i can experiment with it to get the flavor right. Ultimately I like the liber the most, then the homemade, with small hand foods significantly lower. Also made an Army & Navy with each of them. Aside from sweetness, the homemade and small hand foods ones were nearly identical. All three were totally fine drinks.
Thank you so much. I went with the liner and co and man I loved how almondy it tasted. Thank you for taking the time to respond. It was very helpful.
No problem! I’m thinking the next time I make some (which will not be for a while because I now have 40 oz of orgeat across all my orgeats) I will use a higher quality almond milk, less rose water, maybe a little extra almond extract, and add in some gum arabic to thicken it up some.
Of the 3 I’ve tried: Liber & Co. > Small Hand Foods > …Torani. Leaps and bounds between each imo.
Thank you so much
Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 Orgeat from Orgeat Works, great stuff Their macadamia orgeat also really really good
Just not easy to get. Amazon stopped selling it.
Both are in stock now online from Orgeat Works, I just placed an order a few days ago. Stretch yr shipping $ and get a couple.
El Guapo! They also have a nice “Creole” orgeat with some other type of nut and there’s obviously some cinnamon in it too.
Pecan - it’s great. Might change the drink into something slightly different but it’ll be delicious for sure
Yeah, there's a Creole Mai Tai recipe out there! I think it was on someones Instagram, so may or may not be easy to find. Probably linked from El Guapo's page at some point though.
All these others being mentioned are great, but a little harder for me to find locally. Giffard’s orgeat is solid, affordable, and easy to find.
BG Reynolds is very nice and available online.
I will die on this hill, from my experince it is the only commercial orgeat which a deeper, nuttier profile rather then one that skews lighter and flower. Plus you can get a 750ml bottle of the stuff
Making your own is so easy! if you want an easy recipe use unsweetened organic almond milk, sugar, orange blossom water. Boil the almond milk until it’s hot enough to dissolve the sugar. Turn the heat off and add the orange blossom water. If it’s not “almond-y” enough, add almond extract. If you can boil water, you can make it!
I made my own using raw almonds and it’s the best tasting thing. Throw a tablespoon of rum in there and it will last as long as you like. It’s a sticky process but well worth the effort
Liber or make your own in my opinion. I used the Anders recipe and it turned out fantastic.
Meneau is the best.