Orange Blossom Water Syrup (Lebanese Ater)

Orange Blossom Water Syrup (Lebanese Ater) is an aromatic thickened sugary syrup. People use it very often in and on many popular Middle-Eastern desserts! Easy to make and a great addition to a variety of desserts, this recipe is a must-know. Friends and family often compliment the balanced flavors of my ater recipe claiming it’s the best they’ve had!

You simply drizzle this syrup over your kanafa, ashta, osmaliyi, atayif, aish elsaraya, to halawet elriz, and so many more. Master this recipe to enhance your desserts with yummy flavors and added texture.

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Ingredients for Orange Blossom Water Syrup (Lebanese Ater)

water

granulated sugar

orange blossom water

lemon juice

rose water (optional but great for added flavor)

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The Beauty of Orange Blossom Water Syrup (Ater)

Well, for starters, Orange Blossom Water Syrup (Ater) is super easy to make. You can basically have it done in 15 minutes!

You can use it hot, as many Arabic dessert recipes call for. Or, you can wait about 20 to 30 minutes for it to cool and pour it over your favorite desserts.

Furthermore, it’s a versatile syrup. Yes, it’s often used on Arabic fried or baked desserts, but there’s more to it than that.

You can drizzle it over your favorite fruits to give them added sweetness. Do you enjoy aromatic coffee or tea? Well then, add a teaspoon of this syrup to your mug or cup and enjoy! It’s also a great addition to lemonade, YUM!

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Variations on Orange Blossom Water Syrup

Since in its traditional form the Middle Eastern simply syrup is aromatic, you can add to its flavor as you desire. There are quite a few ways to change up ater to your liking.

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Traditional Simple Syrup (Ater)

In its most original form, Ater is made with water, white sugar, orange blossom water, rose water, and lemon juice. Pretty simple and straightforward.

Water to sugar ratio is important to get the desired thickness as well as the lemon juice. Not only does the lemon juice help with thickness, it also balances out the level of sweetness from the sugar.

Your aromatic flavors come from the rose and orange blossom water. You can uses either one or both for a more powerful flavor!

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Brown Simple Syrup

You can make your simple syrup brown in a couple of ways. First, you’re probably wondering why you would want it brown.

Well, some desserts call for a brown syrup to add color to a dish and others for a more caramelized flavor. Either way, it’s easy to make.

You can either simply replace white sugar for brown! Or, you can cook the sugar in a pan on medium to high heat and continually mix until it becomes caramelized!

You can even add some maple syrup for a lighter brown color and extra flavor!

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Other Simple Syrups

If you’re looking for a sugar substitute, it’s possible. You can use honey instead of sugar and simply add a bit of water and whatever other aromatic flavors you’d like. Mix them well and you have a syrup.

You can use sweeteners of your choice as well. You can make it using a powder sweetener of your preference like Xylitol or Stevia.

Just be careful because these powdered sweeteners are much finer than regular sugar. So, this means that water ratios must be adjusted to meet thickness requirements.

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Aromatic Alternatives for Ater (Simple Syrup)

Boil the simple syrup with cinnamon sticks or add in some nutmeg

You can create an herbal simple syrup using lavender, mint, and rosemary

Create a citrus-flavored syrup by adding lemon, lime, or orange zest

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Tips for the Perfect Orange Blossom Water Syrup (Lebanese Ater)

Creating the perfect orange blossom syrup or simple sugar syrup, or “Ater” as known in Arabic, requires precision and attention to detail. Here are some advanced chef tips to help you achieve exceptional results:

Quality Ingredients

Start with high-quality ingredients. For the orange blossom water syrup, use pure orange blossom and rose waters without any artificial additives. Also, use filtered water and high-quality sugar.

Ratio

Achieving the right ratio of sugar to water is crucial. For a basic simple syrup, the standard ratio is equal parts water to sugar (1:1). For a thicker syrup, you can increase the sugar to water ratio (2:1). Adjust the sweetness according to your preference.

Heat Control

Use medium heat to dissolve the sugar into the water. Avoid boiling the mixture rapidly as it can result in crystallization. Stir occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves.

Avoid Stirring

Once the sugar is added and the mixture begins to heat up, avoid stirring too frequently. Stirring too much can cause crystallization. Instead, gently swirl the pan if necessary to ensure even heating.

Flavor Infusion

For the orange blossom water syrup, add the blossom and rose water to the mixture once the sugar has completely dissolved for heightened flavor. Use high-quality blossom and rose waters for the best flavor. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste, as rose water can quickly become overpowering.

Simmering Time

Let the ater mixture simmer gently for a few minutes after adding the rose water. This helps to infuse the flavors and ensures a smooth consistency. Be careful not to overcook, as it can result in a thicker syrup than desired.

Cooling Process

Allow the ater/syrup to cool completely before transferring it to a storage container. This helps to thicken the syrup and develop its flavor. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the syrup in an ice bath.

Storage

Store the ater in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, orange blossom water syrup can last for several weeks. Simple sugar syrup can last even longer. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.

Presentation

When serving, consider the presentation of ater. Use decorative bottles or jars for an elegant touch. Drizzle the syrup over desserts like baklava, ice cream, or yogurt for a delightful finishing touch.

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Other Delicious Recipes to Make

• Easy Kunafa with Mozzarella Cheese
• Warbat (Shaabiyat)
• Atayif bil Ashta
• Easy 5-Ingredient Ashta Recipe
• Sweet Potato Bake Filled with Walnuts
• Pan-Fried Honey Cinnamon Bananas
• Lebanese Maamoul Cookies
• Halawet El Riz- Rice and Cheese Cream
• Osmaliyi Dessert

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