Frangelico

Frangelico frangelico one of the most popular hazelnut liqueurs used in the bar. Discover this historic liquor and find nutty cocktails to mix it in.

Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks. Frangelico and amaretto are the most popular nut-flavored liqueurs. They’re comparable in color and used in similarly styled cocktails. The two could even be a substitute for one another in drinks as long as you understand the taste differences.

Amaretto’s almond flavoring is subtler than Frangelico’s hazelnut. Opening a bottle of Frangelico instantly fills the nose with a bold nuttiness and that follows through to the taste. Amaretto is not as noticeable, with the almond flavor often melting into the sweet background. The additional flavorings in Frangelico also make it more complex, where amaretto is one-dimensional.

Frangelico is a premium-quality liqueur and has a price tag to match. There are a number of other hazelnut-flavored liqueurs available that are at least half the price, though few will match Frangelico’s quality. Some craft distilleries may produce this flavor of liqueur and those are worth tasting. Frangelico is a pale gold-colored liqueur made of Tonda Gentile hazelnuts. It is distilled in the Piedmont region of northern Italy from an alcohol and water infusion of the toasted and crushed nuts. Frangelico remains the premier hazelnut liqueur. Its origins go back over 300 years to the Christian monks who inhabited the Piedmont area of Italy.

The name Frangelico is derived from one of those monks, Fra. The bottle reflects this heritage, which looks like a glass monk, complete with a rope belt. Frangelico is one of the nuttiest liqueurs you will find, both in aroma and taste. It has a nice balance of sweet richness and hazelnut flavor while the cocoa, coffee, and vanilla add delightful background flavors. This liqueur is delicious on its own.

It’s commonly served neat, chilled, over ice, with a twist of lime, or topped with soda or tonic. You can also add a shot to a cup of coffee for a nutty sweetener. Generally, if a cocktail name alludes to nuts or monks, it’s likely Frangelico is a key ingredient. It’s used in martinis, lowballs, and plenty of shot recipes. On occasion, you will find food recipes that include a hazelnut liqueur and Frangelico is an excellent choice.

It’s used in cakes, puddings and custards, sweet glazes, and other desserts. If a single recipe is your only use for Frangelico, it is available in bottles smaller than the standard 750ml. However, these can be hard to find and not every liqueur store will have them in stock. Creating great tasting cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes.