Frangelico Review – Are You Nuts for Buying it?

This Frangelico review finds me at the beginning of December, though I’m sure Frangelico makes for an all-seasons experience. Fancying a change from the obligatory bottle of Christmas Baileys, I plumped for a bottle of this online.

I’m not sure what it is about Christmas that makes me start filling the drinks cabinet. We don’t have loads of people round, and I only end up using all the weird bottles I’ve bought for cocktail challenges with my friends. I thought I’d learnt my lesson after still trying to get through the Midori and lychee liqueur that I bought two years ago.

I’m blaming Amazon for this one though. Omnipresent in my recommendations over the last few years has been Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur from Italy. The customer reviews are incredible. People love this stuff!

Frangelico Review

According to legend (as the label would have us believe), Friar Angelico lived three centuries ago and loved nature so much that he made some hooch out of hazelnuts and “other secret ingredients” that some big mouth has listed on the back. I’m paraphrasing a little, but you get the gist. The main surprise for me is that Frangelico is a portmanteau of ‘Friar Angelico’. I thought that kind of word mashing was reserved for the yoofs of today in a ‘Brangelina’/’Kimye’ sort of way.

Call me quixotic, but although I know all the ‘secret recipe’ and ‘legend has it’ stuff is all marketing patter, I still love the image it tries to conjure. Frangelico have gone all out in this regard, to the point where the bottle itself is shaped like a monk (aah, didn’t notice that, did you?).

It also proudly displays a gold badge that declares that it’s made with Italian hazelnuts. Is that a ‘thing’? Is Italy famed for its hazelnuts? We’re on a voyage of discovery here folks, strap in.

How Much is Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur?

It’s been on my radar for what seems like an age at £17. A Black Friday deal saw it drop to £13 however, which prompted me to pounce. Be aware that I still had to pay postage on this though, bringing it close to its original price anyway.

I’ve not seen it in supermarkets, although I hear that Tesco and Waitrose do stock it sporadically.

On the Nose

Hazelnuts. I mean, what did you expect?

Is Frangelico Suitable for Sipping Neat?

No. Well, not for me anyway. Amazon’s reviews are full of people thankful that they’ve found this drink in the UK after falling in love with it on holiday. None of them mentioned having it mixed with anything, so I’m assuming they’re drinking it straight. In fact, this is exactly what the label suggests, with a few rocks and a splash of lime if you’re feeling fruity.

Now when I say it’s not suitable for sipping neat, I don’t mean to suggest that it’s rough or harsh in a sense of alcohol burn. Frangelico is only 20% ABV after all. The problem is that it is ridiculously sweet. On the list of ‘secret’ ingredients on the back, sugar is the second greatest ingredient present after water. To be honest, I find even that hard to believe. Friar Angelico had one hell of a sweet tooth. I don’t know what miracle was performed here, but he’s made a drink that is at least twice as sweet as sugar.

Another thing worth mentioning is that it’s a clear liquid. This came as somewhat of a surprise to me, as I was expecting a thick, creamy drink not too far removed from Baileys.

Frangelico’s ultra-sweetness is reminiscent of the transparent gloopy syrups you find in some kids’ medicines. It’s like drinking undiluted squash. I couldn’t finish the small glass I made for myself.

Oh, and it tastes of hazelnuts too.

While enjoying Frangelico, a unique bottle opener can undoubtedly add more fun and ritual. 

For example, you can customize coins into the shape of a bottle opener, and then add some interesting patterns and words. Imagine using such custom coins as a bottle opener to open a bottle of Frangelico in your spare time or at a gathering with friends. Wouldn’t it make people look forward to the next tasting time? 

Whether it is a wine lover’s commemorative collection or a gift to a friend, customizing bottle opener coins is a good idea.

Is Frangelico Suitable for Mixing?

I hope so, otherwise I’ve just wasted £13 on early onset diabetes.

If any drink would lend itself to a bit of dilution, it’s Frangelico. I imagine that this would be a bit of a hit in coffee or boozy chocolate milkshakes.

Frangelico Review – Verdict

I feel as if I’m approaching Frangelico in the wrong way somehow, but the label itself suggests drinking it neat, so that’s what I’m going to rate it on. Might be worth looking into if you fancy something different to add to cocktails and other drinks. If you’re looking for something to drink on its own, you may as well boil the kettle and dissolve eight bags of sugar to get the same effect that Frangelico offers. 2/10

You’ll Probably like Frangelico hazelnut liqueur if You Already Like…

Sugar cubes, Calpol, visiting your dentist.

Fancy going the other way and tasting burnt oak barrels instead? Take a look at this Mount Gay Black Barrel review.

More of a whisky lover? Have a look at this £16 supermarket bargain single malt Scotch.

Can’t shake you from that filthy sugar habit?  Check out this Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva review for a sweet rum that you can at least finish a glass of.