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Frangelico is an Italian liqueur based on hazelnuts and herbs. To give the drink a beautiful golden hue, it is tinted with caramel. The strength of the liquor is 20%. The brand is known for its original packaging: the bottle is made in the shape of a monk, girded with a white rope. There are two volume options on the market: 750 ml and 375 ml.
Characteristics. Colour: light golden.
Taste and texture: rich bouquet with clear but delicate tones of hazelnut, vanilla, dark chocolate nuances. Long aftertaste.
Aroma: intense nutty.
History
According to legend, the name of the brand comes from the name of the hermit Brother (“Fra”) Angelico, who lived in Piedmont 300 years ago and allegedly created a unique recipe for the drink. Despite the fact that the pious elder belonged to the Dominican order, the bottle is made in the form of a Franciscan monk.
Frangelico liqueur was created in 1978 by the Barbero family of Italian winemakers. In 1990, the production rights were acquired by the C&C Group, in March 2010 the brand was taken over by William Grant & Sons, and on September 16, 2010, the Gruppo Campari corporation bought the liquor.
Production technology
The production method of Frangelico is similar to the production methods of most nut liqueurs: peeled, roasted and crushed hazelnuts are poured with diluted alcohol and infused. Then this tincture is distilled and mixed with extracts of cocoa, vanilla, coffee, and other herbs (of course, the exact recipe and proportions are kept secret). The finished mixture is brought to the desired strength, filtered, sweetened. For another 6-8 weeks, the liquor is kept in vats: this time is necessary for all the spirits used to “marry” and mix into one harmonious drink. Finally, Frangelico is bottled, labeled, “girdled” with a string and sent to the shelves.
The producers themselves describe the drink as follows: “dark on the outside and light inside, sweet, but deliciously refreshing.” They argue that the rich taste of Frangelico is due to the origin of the ingredients: selected nuts from the Italian region of Piedmont are used to produce the drink. This hazelnut is so special that it even has its own name: Tonda Gentile. The variety grows exclusively in northern Italy, these are large “fleshy” nuts with a thin skin, they can be roasted without risking a bitter-burnt aftertaste.
Drinking culture and cocktails with Frangelico
Frangelico liqueur can be drunk neat, with ice, diluted with soda or added to coffee. However, most often alcohol is used as an ingredient in cocktails.
Cocktails with Frangelico
- Hazelnut Martini – 1 part Frangelico, 2 parts vodka, lime wedges for garnish Mix everything in a shaker with ice, pour into a martini glass.
- Frangelico Colada – 1 part liqueur, the same amount of Malibu rum and coconut milk, 2 parts pineapple juice, a few pineapple cubes. Mix everything in a blender with ice until smooth. Serve with shredded coconut.
- Frangelico and Cranberry Juice – mix equal parts liqueur and cranberry juice, add ice, serve in an old fashion glass.
- Chocolate Cake shot – Pour ¾ vodka and ¼ Frangelico liqueur into a shot glass. Drink in one gulp.
- Frangelico on the rocks with lime – 2 ounces Frangelico, juice of 2 fresh lemon wedges. Drink with ice.