Mixing drinks has never been more refreshing than when making a Cape Cod Cooler (cocktail) and Homemade Orgeat Syrup. The blush-tone cocktails are thirst quenching with sloe gin, gin, cranberry cocktail and orgeat syrup. Making orgeat syrup (using almonds, sugar, and orange blossom water) is a cinch. Keep it in the fridge and on the ready for summer drink making!
I was compensated by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas for my time in developing this recipe and post. All opinions are my own.
As the weather continues to heat up my mind has been drifting toward summer cocktails. Summer is probably my favorite cocktail season due to all the fresh available ingredients. Most sweltering evenings are made all the better by a fruity cocktail in a frosty glass clinking with ice. My first sipper of the season? The Cape Cod Cooler.
Being landlocked I dream of nautical motifs, waves lapping at a sandy shore and my idea of an East Coast summer. Especially around Memorial Day and Fourth of July I imagine beach parties on the rugged shoreline, long beach walks, lobster cookouts and lazy cocktail sipping.
I love to use ingredients that are full of flavor and speak to the vibe of the season. A favorite I use often in dessert recipes is Orange Blossom Water. It has a light orange flavor and a dreamy exotic scent. I use Nielsen-Massey’s Orange Blossom Water (as well as their vanillas and rose water loving the quality and pure flavors) which is made using the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, infused in distilled water. Also known as ‘essential oil of Neroli’, orange blossom water is traditional to Persian, Arabic, eastern Indian and Turkish cuisine.
Have you ever use Orgeat (pronounced or-zha for the French pronunciation or or-zhat) in your home cocktails? It’s a delicious syrup made with almonds, sugar and orange blossom water. The light mix of almond and orange blossom make a wonderful versatile syrup that are popular in many cocktails, the most well-known of which is the tropical Mai Tail. The syrup is very easy to make at home and I’m sharing my recipe today. I love having it on the ready for cocktail mixing.
As much as I do love a good Mai Tai, the Cape Code Cooler also uses Orgeat. The Cape Code Cooler is a made with traditional gin, cranberry cocktail and sloe gin (a liqueur made from sloe berries used to make the famous ‘sloe gin fizz’). The cocktail mixes up into the most refreshing shade of pink and is served over mounds of crushed ice just perfect to take the edge of a hot summer day.
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Cape Code Cooler and DIY Orgeat syrup
Orgeat Syrup is a simple syrup using almonds and orange blossom water that is very easy to make at home. This recipes uses blanched almonds creating a milky color and subtle flavor. Orgeat is used in many cocktails including the Cape Cod Cooler perfect for summer sipping! Note: Orgeat will separate as it sits. Just shake before using.
Ingredients
Ingredients for Homemade Orgeat Syrup:
- 2 cups Slivered Almonds
- 1 1/4 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 1/4 cups Water
- 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Orange Blossom Water
- 1 ounce Vodka unflavored
Ingredients for Cape Cod Cooler cocktails:
- 4 ounces Sloe Gin (may substitute plum brandy if needed)
- 2 ounces Gin
- 1 ounce Lime Juice
- 1 ounce Homemade Orgeat Syrup
- 10 ounces Cranberry Cocktail
- 2 slices fresh Lime (garnish)
Instructions
Instructions for Homemade Orgeat Syrup:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees C. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, dull side facing up. Place the almonds in one layer on the prepared pan.
Roast the almonds for 3 minutes, shaking the tray halfway through cooking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool fully. Once cooled process through a food processor or blender into small pieces.
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat to dissolve the sugar. Add the nuts and remove from the heat. Cover and allow to infuse for 3 hours (note: can be infused longer for a deeper flavor but no longer than 12 hours).
Drain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or large liquid measuring cup. Stir in the orange blossom water and vodka. Pour into jars or bottles, seal and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Instructions for Cape Cod Cooler cocktails:
Fill two 14 ounce Collins glasses half to ¾ full of crushed ice. Add 2 ounces slow gin, 1 ounce gin, ½ ounce lime juice, ½ ounce orgeat and 5 ounces of cranberry cocktail to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into one of the prepared glasses. Repeat for the second cocktail. Garnish with a lime slice.
robin rue says
Well considering I live JUST off of cape cod, or as we call it up here – the cape – I think I NEED to try this.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds wonderful! I’ve made my own syrups before, and I think this is goign to be a great addition to my lineup.
Colleen Lanin says
That sounds like a wonderful syrup. I can see using it in all kinds of things. Thanks so much!
Jen Rattie says
I have never had a Cape Cod Cooler, but I’m always up for a new cocktail. ALWAYS. I will absolutely be making this bad boy this weekend.
Lisa Favre says
That cooler is exactly what I need right now! I’ve been getting so (irritably) hot lately, and this drink would surely cool me down.
Jeanette says
I have never heard of the Cape Cod cooler myself but the way that looks and what you put into it I know I would love it. I think I’ll be making this on my next girls weekend.
Pam Wattenbarger says
I had never heard of Orgeat syrup before this! I need to make it and try it out for myself.
Reesa Lewandowski says
I Have never hard of this syrup before!!! My goodness it sounds amazing and so delicious with this cooler!! I need to make these!
Liz Mays says
This is such a good choice for the warm weather! It would be very fun to make orgeat syrup to use in drink mixes like this!
Jenna Wood says
I don’t really drink- but I do like to serve a cocktail when i entertain. This seems like a great warm weather refresher.
Nancy says
I am all about making new syrups because I think they make great additions to any cocktail. Can’t wait to try your take on Orgeat Syrup!
Jeanine says
Oh how i love those metal straws. SUPER awesome. This looks really tasty and refreshing. I’m not a big cocktail drinker, but that needs to change!
Toni Dash says
You wouldn’t think they make a big difference but I LOVE drinking from them. Everything tastes so much better and cooler (refreshing).
Jeni Hawkins says
This sounds like an amazing cooler! I need to give this one a shot.
Kristin says
YUM! How delicious! This sounds amazing and refreshing.
Amy says
I am so intrigued by the inclusion of almonds in this drink’s syrup. I need to try this for the summer.
Kristi says
I can just picture a nice relaxing afternoon on the deck with this drink in hand. The sun shinning down and the green grass in view…. is summer here yet??
Jody Arsenault says
Oh my goodness, I need to share this recipe with my friend. She will absolutely love it!
jen T says
I have no idea how I have never heard of Orgeat!! It sounds incredible and I am going to have it this weekend. (I’m so excited!!)
gingermommyrants says
The Cape Code Cooler is going to be great for BBQ season. I have never tried to make my own Orgeat syrup before.
Claudia Krusch says
I am always looking for new cocktail recipes to try. I wil have to get the ingredients I need to make the Cape Code Cooler.
Our Family World says
This cocktail screams summer! I was reading through the ingredients and I can only imagine how refreshing this would taste! I’m saving your recipe and mix this up when we get to host a BBQ party!
Toni Dash says
I think you’ll love it! It definitely screams summer to me too.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Perfect cocktail to start the summer. We happen to have orgeat syrup in the fridge, but I’m so happy to now have a recipe for it. Love the stuff and now I don’t have to dread when we run out of it!
Toni Dash says
Sounds like this was meant to be for you!
Tara says
This cocktail looks absolutely refreshing. I’ll be giving it a try that’s for sure.
Michelle Waller says
This looks very delicious and refreshing. I bet it is good after a warm summer day of being outside.
Beeb Ashcroft says
I LOVE a good cocktail, especially one I can do on my own. This looks delish!
Amanda Love says
I sure don’t mind having these drinks during the warmer days of the year! Both look so refreshing and I’d love to keep th recipe!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I haven’t tried making my own syrup before. You recipe looks easy enough to follow. The cape cod drink looks so refreshing. I’d love to serve that to guests that drop by our house occasionally.
Toni Dash says
It’s super easy Annemarie. The flavor is so lovely I think once you make it you will think of other ways to use it too! Would be great just with some sparkling water or in coffee too!
katrina gehman says
this looks so good. i could use a glass or 5 right now.