Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur Italy 70 cl 20%

Piedmont, late summer. The hazel rows across the Langhe hills hang heavy, baskets fill with Tonda Gentile, and the whole district smells of nuts going into the roaster. Frangelico starts here — in a grove, not a laboratory.

Expert description

Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur is an Italian Hazelnut Liqueur made from toasted Tonda Gentile hazelnuts grown in Piedmont and bottled at 20%.

The brand launched in 1978, created by the Barbero family at their company Barbero 1891 S.p.A. in the town of Canale in Piedmont. Ownership has moved around since — first C&C Group, then William Grant & Sons, and from 2010 Gruppo Campari, which still produces the liqueur in Piedmont.

Tonda Gentile is not a random nut. It runs bigger, rounder and more uniform than most, and the skin sheds cleanly during toasting. That is the whole point: leave the skin on and it drags bitterness into the distillate. The nuts are toasted and distilled with neutral alcohol, and the distillate is then infused with cacao beans, coffee, vanilla, berries, rhubarb root and sweet orange flower. Sugar and water finish the blend.

The colour is bright golden brown, and caramel colouring is added. Most people know the bottle before they know the liquid: it is shaped like a Franciscan friar in his habit, with a rope cord knotted around the neck. The name points to the hermit monk Fra Angelico, whom legend credits with the original recipe.

Tasting notes

Nose

Toasted hazelnut straight away, warm and unmistakable. Cocoa, vanilla pod and a thread of orange peel sit behind it.

Palate

Soft and full. Nougat and roasted nuts first, then dark chocolate and a rounded note of coffee. Sweet, but it never turns sticky.

Finish

Medium. The nut lingers, the vanilla fades slowly, and the cocoa leaves a touch of dryness at the very end.

Specifications

Name: Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur
Distillery: Frangelico
Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy
Type: Italian Hazelnut Liqueur
ABV: 20%
Size: 70 CL
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Distillate of toasted hazelnuts, then infused with cocoa, coffee and vanilla
Serving suggestion: Chilled or over ice, in coffee, or in cocktails such as the Espresso Martini and the Nutty Irishman

Flavour profile

Nutty · Sweet · Chocolate · Vanilla · Toasted

Did you know?

When Gruppo Campari bought Frangelico from William Grant & Sons in September 2010, the brand cost EUR 128.2 million. That is a lot of hazelnuts.

See our full range of Liqueur

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

What does Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur taste like?

Toasted hazelnut, first and foremost. Cocoa, vanilla and a rounded coffee note sit on top of the nut, and the sweetness is clear without turning heavy. The texture is soft and rounded.

How is Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur best served?

Chilled or over ice is the simplest and the best place to start. A squeeze of fresh lime cuts through the sweetness, and a small tulip-shaped glass holds on to the nut aroma. Some people keep the bottle in the fridge and pour it as a shot after dinner.

Which cocktails can you make with Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur?

The Espresso Martini and the Nutty Irishman are the obvious ones. It also works as a nutty stand-in for coffee liqueur in a White Russian, or alongside bourbon in a sweeter take on an Old Fashioned. If you want another nut liqueur to build on, we also carry Amaretto Liqueur.

Can Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur be used in coffee and desserts?

Yes, and it is one of the most common ways to use it. A spoonful in hot coffee or poured over vanilla ice cream is enough. In baking it pairs with chocolate, mascarpone and anything that already contains nuts.

Where do the hazelnuts in Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur come from?

They come from Piedmont in northern Italy and belong to the Tonda Gentile variety. The nut is larger and rounder than average, and the skin sheds cleanly during toasting — which is why the distillate does not turn bitter.

Why is the bottle shaped like a monk?

The bottle imitates a Franciscan friar in his habit, complete with a rope cord tied around the bottle neck. The shape refers to the name Frangelico, which is linked to the hermit monk Fra Angelico and to the old monastic distilling traditions of Piedmont.

How long does an opened bottle of Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur keep?

At 20% it is more fragile than full-strength spirits. Kept cool, dark and firmly closed it will hold for a year or more, but the flavour flattens gradually. Drink it within six to twelve months if you want the nut aroma at full strength.