Orgeat syrup is a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar and rose water or orange flower water. It was, however, originally made with a barley-almond blend. It has a pronounced almond taste and is used to flavor many cocktails, perhaps the most famous of which is the Mai Tai.
The word "orgeat" (pronounced /ɔrˈʒɑː/ or /ˈɔrdʒiːət/) is derived from the Latin hordeata "made with barley" through the French, where barley is called orge. The Spanish word horchata has the same origin, though today the two drinks have little else in common.
In Tunisia, it is called "rozata" and is usually served chilled in wedding and engagement parties as a symbol of joy and purity because of its white colour and its fresh (flowery) flavor. It comes in many different flavours, such as traditional almond, banana, mango, pistachio, among others.
In Suriname, there is a drink called orgeade, which is a similar syrup made of sugar and almonds.
In Italy, there is a drink called orzata, which is a syrup made of benzoin resin. It only contains some of the bitter almond flavour.
On the Greek islands of Chios and Nisyros, a similar drink is known as soumada.