Got a half-used bottle of Frangelico staring at you from the pantry? Make these cocktails.
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Frangelico, a quick history
Frangelico, named for Father/Friar Angelico, a monk in the Piedmont Hills of Northern Italy (or so the legend goes), is thought to have been supped as early as the 17th century, made by the monks that inhabited the region. While the 17th-century claim may be a bit of a stretch, the monks are no-joke – French and Italian monks have a history of little side projects and quests on the go – Chartreuse is a great example.
What is clear, and a marker of the Frangelico brand, is the quality of the nuts used in the liqueur. Frangelico uses the Tonda Gentile hazelnut, classed under a Protected Geographical Indication. This particular variety is known for its larger size and strong nutty flavour. It’s also locally grown, which is a big plus, too.
To taste, Frangelico is a sweet liqueur flavoured with toasted hazelnuts, cacao, vanilla, coffee, berries and rhubarb root (to name a few), which is then aged in an oak cask before sweetening and bottling. So, as you can imagine, it tastes pretty nutty and sweet, but also very biscuity.
Based on this hit list of flavours, you’d imagine old Franny would be great in creamier style cocktails like the Toblerone or even a riff on an Espresso Martini. And yes, you’d be right – but it also shows off in a bunch of other fun ways, too.
1. Hazelnut Espresso Martini
A bit of a no-brainer here. It’s kind of like adding a syrup to your coffee, but in this instance, it’s an Espresso Martini and it’s a far more complex and interesting flavoured liqueur. Here’s what you’re going to do. Follow your stock standard Espresso Martini recipe but add in a cheeky half or quarter shot of Frangelico, and you’ve got yourself an almost nutella-tasting Espresso Martini. Or chuck it into our Espresso Martini variations: the Doughnut-ini, Tiramisu Martini or Biscoff Espresso Martini. Uh, hello? What’s not to like?
3. Toblerone
Remember when we said Nutella Espresso Martini? Yeah, that – but way more similar to actual Nutella, the Toblerone cocktail. Ice cream: great, chocolate: so good. Frangelico? Yum, give us one now. Lean into the Frangelico to make it extra nutty, or serve as suggested. Either way, you’re in for a delicious cocktail and honestly? We’re jelly. Peep the recipe here.
