You’ve probably heard of almond milk and almond butter, but what about almond water?
Over the past decade, this new drink has been gaining popularity as a healthy alternative to other beverages.
But what is almond water, and is it actually good for you? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of almond water and answer all of your burning questions.
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What is almond water?
Almond water — not to be confused with almond milk — is a sweetened beverage made with almonds or almond extract and other flavorings.
It is thought to have originated in France, where it is made with sirop d’orgeat, a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and rose water or orange flower water.
In the United States, almond water was first introduced as a commercial product by French entrepreneurs Deborah and David Melanie (1).
They based their product on David’s Grandmother’s recipe, which included homemade sirop d’orgeat, but decided to simplify the ingredients.
The Melanies debuted their product, called Victoria’s Kitchen almond water, at the 2012 Winter Fancy Food Show hosted by the Specialty Food Association.
Victoria’s Kitchen original almond water was made with water, cane sugar, natural flavors, natural extracts (almonds, vanilla, and rose), and citric acid (a preservative) (2).
The product grew in popularity and was eventually offered in several different flavors, including coconut, ginger, and mint & licorice.
In 2015, Victoria’s Kitchen almond water was featured on the TV show Shark Tank (season 6, episode 16), but the Melanies left the show without a deal.
The brand was acquired in 2017 by food and beverage company Hispanica International, which planned to reformulate the product with organic ingredients and new flavors (3).
Since then, it’s unclear what has happened to Victoria’s Kitchen almond water. It was sold on Amazon for a while but is currently unavailable and doesn’t appear to be at any other stores.
What does almond water taste like?
Almond water is mildly sweet and has a subtle almond flavor. Some people say it tastes a bit like amaretto, with hints of vanilla and rose.
Almond water nutrition
Almond water is low in calories but high in carbohydrates, which come from added sugars.
A 12-ounce (355-mL) serving of Victoria’s Kitchen provides the following nutrients (2):
- Calories: 50
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 13 grams
- Sugars: 13 grams
- Sodium: 0 mg
Keep in mind that homemade versions may provide different nutrients depending on the ingredients used and how they are prepared.
Is almond water good for you?
Almond water is primarily made up of added sugar and provides no vitamins or minerals, so it’s not the most nutritious beverage.
Still, it can serve as a refreshing and lightly sweet alternative to beverages that are higher in sugar, like soda (4).
Victoria’s Kitchen almond water contains 13 grams of sugar per 12-ounce bottle, which takes up 36-52% of your daily added sugar allotment (2).
Added sugars have been linked to weight gain and an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer (5, 6, 7, 8).
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams for men (9).
Meanwhile, a 12-ounce serving of soda exceeds the AHA’s recommendations, providing closer to 40 grams of sugar (4).
Although almond water does contain some added sugar, it can still fit into a balanced diet if consumed in moderation.
How to make almond water
There is no official recipe for almond water, but it’s pretty simple to make. Just mix sirop d’orgeat (also called orgeat syrup) with water until it’s sweet enough for you.
You can make your own orgeat syrup using a recipe or purchase pre-made orgeat syrup online. Orgeat syrup is also used in cocktails like the Mai Tai and is available in some grocery stores.
Final thoughts
Almond water is a lightly sweetened beverage consisting of water mixed with a French syrup called sirop d’orgeat, which is made from almonds, water, sugar, and orange flower or rose water.
While it’s not a particularly nutritious beverage, almond water can be a refreshing alternative to drinks like soda that are higher in sugar.
The brand Victoria’s Kitchen popularized almond water in the United States but is no longer available for purchase. It’s unclear whether production will be resumed anytime soon.
In the meantime, you can make your own almond water with homemade or store-bought orgeat syrup.
Amy Richter is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in Missouri. She is an experienced nutrition writer and medical advisor for Healthline and Medical News Today. Amy is passionate about all things food-related and enjoys translating complex science into easy-to-understand articles.
