What is Frangelico?
Frangelico is a sweet, hazelnut flavored liqueur that originated in Italy. It is made from hazelnuts, cocoa, and other natural flavors. Frangelico has a smooth, nutty taste that pairs well with coffee and chocolate flavors. It’s usually served chilled or over ice and is commonly used in cocktails that call for a nutty liqueur.
Flavor profile
Frangelico has a sweet, creamy taste with prominent hazelnut and cocoa notes. The nutty flavors are balanced by vanilla and berry undertones. It has a smooth texture with 24% alcohol by volume. The hazelnut flavor really shines through, making it perfect for nutty cocktails.
History
Frangelico was created in 1978 by the Barolo distillery in Piedmont, Italy. It was inspired by an old recipe of local friars which combined hazelnuts, cocoa, and wild berries. The origin of the name Frangelico comes from the little-known Fragolino berry that was originally used. Over the years, the recipe evolved but kept its distinctive hazelnut taste.
It was brought to the US market in the 1980s by the William Grant & Sons distillery. Frangelico gained popularity after being featured in the hit 1990s show Sex and the City. It’s now one of the most recognizable nut-flavored liqueurs on the market.
What is an espresso martini?
The espresso martini is a coffee-flavored cocktail that has become a modern classic. It combines vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup shaken until frothy and chilled. The espresso martini first became popular in the 1980s.
Ingredients
A traditional espresso martini contains:
– Vodka – The base spirit, usually neutral vodka.
– Espresso – Freshly brewed and chilled espresso provides the signature flavor.
– Coffee liqueur – Such as Kahlua or Tia Maria. Adds sweetness and extra coffee richness.
– Simple syrup – A spoonful of sugar syrup balances the bitterness of coffee.
– Ice – Shaken hard with ice to create a frothy texture.
Flavor profile
An espresso martini is bold, bittersweet, and smooth. The combination of espresso and coffee liqueur creates an intense coffee flavor, while the vodka provides an alcoholic punch. A good espresso martini should be strong, but not overly bitter. The sugar syrup rounds off the edges for a creamy cascading texture.
Preparation
To make an espresso martini:
– Brew a shot of high-quality espresso and let it cool.
– Add vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
– Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled and frothy.
– Fine-strain into a chilled martini glass to remove ice shards.
– Garnish with coffee beans or chocolate shavings (optional).
Does Frangelico work in an espresso martini?
Frangelico can make an excellent substitution in an espresso martini. Its natural hazelnut flavor pairs perfectly with the coffee and vodka. Frangelico adds its own twist while keeping the comforting flavors of a classic espresso martini.
Here are some of the reasons Frangelico works well:
It complements coffee
Frangelico’s nutty sweetness is a natural fit with the bitterness of espresso. The hazelnut accent enhances the smooth coffee flavor rather than covering it up. Just like hazelnut coffee, it provides a gourmet flavor experience.
It replaces coffee liqueur
In an espresso martini recipe, Frangelico can directly substitute for coffee liqueurs like Kahlua. The quantities would stay the same. Frangelico has a similar sweetness and viscosity.
It adds texture
Frangelico is thicker than plain vodka or liqueurs like triple sec. This gives the drink a lovely silky mouthfeel. The hazelnut oils contribute to a richer, more luscious espresso martini.
It provides a nutty twist
The hazelnut flavor profile of Frangelico sets it apart from other coffee cocktails. It brings a new gourmet element to the classic espresso martini recipe. The nuttiness pairs perfectly with the bittersweet coffee flavors.
Frangelico espresso martini recipe
This easy cocktail swaps coffee liqueur for hazelnutty Frangelico.
Ingredients
– 1.5 oz vodka
– 1.5 oz Frangelico
– 1 oz freshly brewed espresso, chilled
– 0.5 oz simple syrup
– Coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
– Add vodka, Frangelico, espresso, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
– Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled and frothy.
– Strain into a chilled martini glass.
– Garnish with 3 coffee beans floated on top.
Flavor profile
This combines smooth nutty Frangelico with intense espresso. It has a creamy sweetness up front, transitioning to bitter coffee flavors. The result is a decadent hazelnut-infused espresso martini.
How does Frangelico change the drink?
Using Frangelico instead of coffee liqueur makes subtle but important changes to the espresso martini:
More hazelnut, less vanilla
Coffee liqueurs like Kahlua have a distinct vanilla aroma. Frangelico highlights more natural hazelnut without any vanilla. This gives it a more authentic nutty quality.
Richer texture
Frangelico has a noticeably richer, oilier texture than many liqueurs. This adds body to the drink in a very pleasing way.
Nutty instead of chocolatey
Coffee liqueurs skew towards more chocolate flavors. Frangelico focuses purely on roasted hazelnut. This makes it less sweet and dessert-like.
Stronger coffee punch
Without the added sweetness of chocolatey liqueur, the espresso itself stands out more. This gives a bolder, purer coffee taste.
Creamier froth
The oils in Frangelico result in a thicker, more stable froth after shaking. This adds to the smooth nutty mouthfeel.
| Flavor | With Kahlua | With Frangelico |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | Sweeter from chocolate | Less sweet, more hazelnut |
| Coffee flavor | Milder coffee | Bolder, purer coffee |
| Texture | Thin, light | Rich, creamy |
Frangelico quantity
A standard espresso martini recipe calls for 1.5 oz of coffee liqueur. The same amount – 1.5 oz – of Frangelico is recommended when substituting. This equals ratios of:
– 1 part Frangelico
– 1 part vodka
– 2/3 part espresso
– 1/3 part simple syrup
This maintains the flavor balance while letting the Frangelico shine through. The quantity can be adjusted to taste preference:
More Frangelico
Adding extra Frangelico, such as 2 oz, gives it a very forward hazelnut flavor. The nuttiness will be quite dominant in the cocktail.
Less Frangelico
Using just 1 oz makes it more subtle. This works well if you prefer a drier, less sweet drink.
The vodka and espresso ratios would stay constant. Keep the simple syrup between 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz to balance the drink.
Should other ingredients change?
The basic espresso martini recipe doesn’t need any other major tweaks when using Frangelico. However, small adjustments can optimize the flavor:
Espresso
A slightly bolder, darker roasted espresso balances out the nutty sweet liqueur. An Italian-style espresso is a perfect choice.
Vodka
A vodka with more character, like a wheat or rye vodka, holds up better than an ultra-smooth vodka.
Simple syrup
You may wish to use half an ounce less simple syrup if you want to highlight the Frangelico more.
Garnish
To play up the hazelnut flavor, garnish with hazelnut chocolate shavings or crushed hazelnuts.
Frangelico cocktail variations
The basic Frangelico espresso martini is delicious, but experimenting with flavors can be fun too. Try these tasty variations:
Salted caramel
Rim the glass with salted caramel sauce and add 1/4 oz caramel liqueur. Drizzle more caramel over the finished drink.
Hazelnut coffee
Use hazelnut coffee as the espresso. Top with whipped cream and chopped hazelnuts.
White chocolate mocha
Add 0.5 oz white chocolate liqueur and garnish with a white chocolate piece.
Orange hazelnut
Add 1/4 oz orange liqueur and garnish with an orange twist.
Nutella
Rim the glass with Nutella. Garnish with a Nutella-stuffed strawberry.
Pro tips for the best Frangelico espresso martini
Making a first-rate Frangelico espresso martini relies on some key tips:
Quality ingredients
Splurge on the best espresso, vodka, and Frangelico you can. Cheap liquor won’t do this cocktail justice.
Fresh espresso
Pre-made or cold brew don’t have the right flavor. Use freshly brewed espresso and let it chill completely before mixing.
Hard shake
Shake vigorously with ice cubes for at least 10-15 seconds for optimal chill and froth.
Fine strain
Double strain if needed to get a smooth texture without ice shards or debris.
Chilled glass
Frost or chill the martini glass before pouring for an icy cold cocktail.
Garnish
Float hazelnut chocolate shavings or chopped nuts on top for aesthetics and flavor.
Frangelico espresso martini FAQs
Does it matter what vodka to use?
Vodka is important for the structure, so avoid bottom-shelf brands. A premium wheat vodka or flavored vodka complements the flavor best.
Can it be made without simple syrup?
Yes, but the drink may end up very bitter without any sweetener. Try using at least 1/2 oz syrup.
Is it okay to use instant espresso powder?
Fresh espresso is ideal, but instant espresso powder can work in a pinch. Dissolve it thoroughly before adding.
What glass should it be served in?
A chilled cocktail glass or martini glass is standard. Coupe glasses also work well.
Can it be made into a hot cocktail?
Yes, you can make a delicious hot hazelnut coffee cocktail by heating up the ingredients. Top with whipped cream.
Conclusion
Frangelico can transform an ordinary espresso martini into a gourmet experience. Its natural hazelnut flavor adds a delicious nutty sweetness that complements the coffee perfectly. Frangelico’s richness also improves the drink’s texture beautifully. With quality ingredients and proper technique, a Frangelico espresso martini is sure to impress any cocktail lover. This updated take on a classic is well worth trying.