How to Use Frangelico in Cocktails and Desserts
By Chicago's Best Wine & Spirits Store | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to mix Frangelico hazelnut liqueur into cocktails and desserts. Get step-by-step tips for using this Italian liqueur at home.
Quick Answer
Frangelico adds a nutty, slightly sweet depth to cocktails and desserts. Use it as a sipper, in a cocktail, or as a baking ingredient.
Why Frangelico Works So Well
Frangelico's hazelnut flavor comes from real nuts, cocoa, vanilla, and other natural flavors, giving it a complex sweetness that pairs well with coffee, cream, and fruit. The liqueur's medium body and 20% ABV make it versatile enough for both drinks and desserts without overwhelming other ingredients.
How to Use Frangelico
- 1. Pour a shot neat or on the rocks: Serve Frangelico chilled in a small liqueur glass or over ice. The cold temperature tames the sweetness and highlights the hazelnut notes. A common mistake is serving it at room temperature, which makes the sweetness cloying.
- 2. Mix it in a cocktail: Try a Frangelico Sour: combine 1.5 oz Frangelico, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, and an egg white. Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, and garnish with a nutmeg grate. Checkpoint: Over-shaking can dilute the liqueur's flavor; shake for 10–12 seconds maximum.
- 3. Use it in a dessert sauce: Warm 1/4 cup Frangelico with 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons brown sugar over low heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, then drizzle over ice cream, pound cake, or poached pears. Common mistake: boiling the sauce causes the liqueur's alcohol to evaporate and the cream to curdle. Keep the heat low.
Product Facts
- FRANGELICO LIQUEUR, Italy 750ml: Hazelnut liqueur from Italy made from real nuts, cocoa, vanilla and other natural flavors. This authentic ingredient base gives Frangelico a genuine nutty profile that artificial syrups can't replicate, making it a standout choice for elevating simple cocktails and desserts.
FRANGELICO LIQUEUR, Italy 750ml
