Moroccan · Drink
Sharbat bil Looz (Moroccan Almond Milk)
Sharbat bil looz is the celebratory almond milk poured at Moroccan weddings and offered to honoured guests — raw almonds blanched, ground and pressed into a fragrant, milky drink sweetened with sugar and perfumed with orange-blossom water. Served ice-cold, it is far removed from carton almond milk: rich, aromatic and just slightly thick.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 200 g whole almonds
- 1 litre cold water (plus boiling water for blanching)
- 4 tbsp sugar, or to taste
- 2 tbsp orange-blossom water
- Optional: a splash of milk for extra richness
Method
- 1
Blanch and peel
Pour boiling water over the almonds, leave a minute, then drain and slip off the skins. Peeled almonds give a clean, white, smooth drink.
- 2
Blend
Blend the almonds with about half the cold water until very finely ground and milky.
- 3
Strain
Pour through a muslin-lined sieve, gathering and squeezing the cloth to press out all the almond milk. Return the pulp to the blender with the rest of the water, blend again and strain once more to extract everything.
- 4
Sweeten
Stir in the sugar and orange-blossom water (and a splash of milk if you like it richer) until the sugar dissolves.
- 5
Chill and serve
Chill thoroughly and serve very cold, stirring first as it can settle.
Chef's tips
- Blanch and peel the almonds for a smooth, pure-white drink; skins make it beige and slightly bitter.
- Press the pulp hard through the muslin, and blend it a second time, to get the most milk from your almonds.
- Serve it genuinely cold — it is a refreshment drink, at its best chilled with the orange-blossom aroma singing.
Frequently asked questions
When is almond milk served in Morocco?
It is a celebratory drink, poured at weddings, engagements and for special guests. Its richness and the cost of almonds have long made it a mark of hospitality and occasion.
How long does homemade almond milk keep?
Two to three days in the fridge in a sealed bottle. It separates on standing, which is normal — just shake or stir before serving.