Frangelico is a sweet, nutty Italian liqueur used in sweet cocktails, added to coffee and baked goods, or sipped neat as a digestif. If you don’t have a bottle at hand, we have 10 great substitutes for Frangelico liqueur, from delicious nutty liqueurs to non-alcoholic options.
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Substitutes for Frangelico to Stock Up in Your Home Bar
Frangelico substitutes fall into three categories, with high-alcohol options such as Sambuca, Disaronno, and Amaretto offering bold flavors from anise to almond. Mid-range liqueurs like Nocello, Ratafia, Praline, Baileys, and Kahlúa provide nutty, creamy, or coffee notes. Non-alcoholic alternatives, including hazelnut paste/butter/syrup, deliver pure hazelnut flavor without alcohol.
Frangelico liqueur is bottled at 24% alcohol by volume (ABV) and has a rich texture, pronounced hazelnut aroma, and hints of dark chocolate and vanilla. Frangelico’s Italian hazelnut flavor allows you to create unique, one-of-a-kind cocktails. If you’re ready to try something new, here are the best Frangelico substitute options.
| Frangelico Substitute | Alcohol Content by Volume | Flavor Profile | Best Uses |
| Nocello | 24% | Walnut/Hazelnut | Most recipes |
| Praline Liqueur | 17-20% | Pecan/Caramel | Desserts, drinks |
| Amaretto or Almond Liqueur | 21-28% | Almond/Bitter almond | Cocktails, sweets |
| Sambuca | 38-42% | Anise/Licorice | Digestif, cocktails |
| Kahlúa | 16% | Coffee/Vanilla | Coffee drinks, tiramisu |
| Ratafia | 18-30% | Walnut/Herbal/Fruity | Digestif, baked goods |
| Baileys Irish Cream | 17% | Cream/Whiskey/Vanilla | Sweets, coffee drinks |
| Hazelnut Paste or Butter | 0% | Pure Hazelnut | Baking, spreads |
| Hazelnut Syrup | 0% | Sweet Hazelnut | Coffee, baked goods |
| Disaronno | 28% | Almond/Amaretto | Blended beverages, baked goods |
1. Nocello
Nocello is an exquisite nutty liqueur that lends similar flavors to Frangelico, making it an excellent replacement for blended drinks and cakes. This premium Italian liqueur has won several accolades, a testament to its quality.
Nocello is known for its brilliant walnut and hazelnut flavor with hints of sweet vanilla. Its versatility makes it a cult favorite among coffee and liquor connoisseurs. With a similar alcohol to Frangelico, it’s equally enjoyable sipped neat or splashed into a cocktail or espresso.
- Sweetness: Moderately sweet
- Dietary considerations: Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan
- Shelf life and storage: 2-3 years, room temperature
- Cost range: Premium tier
2. Praline Liqueur
Praline liqueur is an excellent Frangelico substitute due to its sweet, nutty flavor profile, reminiscent of the French sweet treat. It’s made with sugar, vanilla, cream, and roasted and chopped pecans.
This liqueur tastes like candy and can be used in various recipes, particularly in coffee, chocolate drinks, and sweets. Much like Frangelico, it offers a similar nutty taste when you mix it with vodka or other ingredients. Its creamy, sugary notes make it a versatile alternative for those seeking a nutty liqueur with a delightful praline essence.
- Sweetness: Caramel sweetness
- Dietary considerations: Dairy-free, gluten-free
- Shelf life and storage: 2 years, room temperature
- Cost range: Premium tier
3. Amaretto or Almond Liqueur
Also from Italy, Amaretto is a versatile staple bar ingredient. The nut-based liqueur is prized for its sweet flavor, almond taste, and hints of bitterness. While Frangelico is made with hazelnuts and has a sweet, nutty taste, Amaretto is made with almonds and has a slightly bitter flavor.
Amaretto is more one-dimensional, with a subtle almond flavor, compared to Frangelico’s bold, complex hazelnut flavor. I enjoy treating myself to an Amaretto and apple cider cocktail. Swirl caramel sauce inside a martini glass, then mix 5 ounces of fresh apple cider and 1 ounce of nutty liqueur.
- Sweetness: Sweet with bitter notes
- Dietary considerations: Dairy-free, gluten-free
- Shelf life and storage: 2-3 years, room temperature
- Cost range: Budget-friendly
4. Sambuca
Sambuca, an Italian liqueur known for its star anise infusions, offers a unique licorice flavor that can surprisingly serve as a Frangelico substitute. Though it has more alcohol than Frangelico, this liqueur can be a good mix-in for recipes with different kinds of sweet, aromatic kick.
Its prominent black licorice taste differentiates it from Frangelico’s hazelnut notes. However, its sweetness and aromatic complexity can work well in baked goods and drinks or when paired with coffee beans.
- Sweetness: Sweet, velvety taste
- Dietary considerations: Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan
- Shelf life and storage: 3+ years, room temperature
- Cost range: Mid-range
5. Kahlúa
Kahlúa is a Mexican coffee liqueur that makes a delicious substitute for Frangelico in coffee-based cocktails and desserts. Kahlúa is made with 100% Arabica coffee beans distilled in rum and sugar. This Frangelico substitute has rich, full-bodied coffee flavors with caramel and vanilla finishing notes.
Perfect for blended beverages, Kahlúa contains 16% AVB compared to Frangelico’s 24%. Although dairy-free, Kahlúa is not 100% vegan. If you’re into making vegan meal prep, especially cakes, this is not for you.
- Sweetness level: Sweet with coffee balance
- Dietary considerations: Dairy-free
- Shelf life and storage: 2 years, room temperature
- Cost range: Budget-friendly
6. Ratafia
Ratafia is traditionally made by macerating fruits, nuts, and herbs in alcohol. It can serve as a suitable Frangelico substitute in drinks due to its inherent sweet and robust flavor.
While it contains less alcohol than Frangelico, Ratafia can impart a delightful nutty flavor depending on its specific blend of other ingredients. It is often served in chilled drinks, giving a refreshing flavor to cocktails. The herbs offer a unique twist to beverages when mixed with vodka or chocolate.
- Sweetness: Sweet and fruity
- Dietary considerations: Dairy-free
- Shelf life and storage: 6 months (opened), room temperature
- Cost range: Premium tier
7. Baileys Irish Cream
Baileys Irish Cream is one of life’s most pleasing indulgences – it isn’t the top-selling liqueur worldwide for no reason. It’s a sweet meeting of the finest Irish whiskey, cream, cocoa beans, and vanilla extract. Baileys Irish Cream’s complex flavors make it a decadent substitute for Frangelico.
Swirl this crowd-pleasing liqueur into your coffee, shake it into cocktails, sip it straight up, or drizzle it over ice cream and blended drinks. These extracts are rich and nutty, ideal for adding to chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, and citrus-flavored foods or meal prep ideas you have.
- Sweetness level: Creamy sweet
- Dietary considerations: Gluten-free
- Shelf life and storage: 6 months (opened), refrigeration upon opening
- Cost range: Mid-range
8. Hazelnut Paste or Butter
Are you looking for Frangelico’s distinct taste without the alcohol? Hazelnut paste or butter is an excellent non-alcoholic Frangelico substitute. Like Frangelico, the paste or butter captures the intense nutty flavor of roasted hazelnuts.
Its inherent sweetness and peculiar hazelnut flavor make it ideal for adding depth to baked goods, smoothies, drinks, and coffee recipes. This substitute allows you to infuse a pure, concentrated hazelnut flavor into various dishes.
- Sweetness level: Minimal sweetness
- Dietary considerations: Gluten-free
- Shelf life and storage: 6-12 months, refrigeration upon opening
- Cost range: Most economical
9. Hazelnut Syrup
Hazelnut syrup, a popular coffee syrup, is another good Frangelico substitute due to its robust hazelnut flavor that perfectly mimics the nutty taste of the liqueur. This syrup provides a versatile and accessible way to infuse the distinct hazelnut taste into various recipes.
Because of its moderate sweetness, you can easily mix it into coffee and alcoholic drinks. It’s also a convenient Frangelico substitute for desserts such as tiramisu, baked goods, and even mocha ice cream.
- Sweetness: Moderate level
- Dietary considerations: Gluten-free
- Shelf life and storage: 6 months (opened), refrigeration upon opening
- Cost range: Most economical
10. Disaronno
Disaronno serves as a good Frangelico substitute, offering a similar nutty flavor profile. The only difference is that it has a distinct almond paste and cherry essence.
Whenever I need a higher alcohol content than Frangelico, I use Disaronno to bring a potent flavor in mixed drinks, pairing exceptionally well with ginger ale or various fruit juices. With its distinct amber color, Disaronno can be enjoyed chilled, blended into ice cream, or incorporated into various desserts.
- Sweetness: Sweet with bitter almond notes
- Dietary considerations: Dairy-free, gluten-free
- Shelf life and storage: 2-3 years, room temperature
- Cost range: Mid-range
Understanding the Frangelico Taste
Frangelico is a sweet, delightfully balanced hazelnut liqueur from Piedmont, Italy. Toasted Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are distilled and blended with distillates from roasted coffee, vanilla berries, and cocoa seeds, then soaked in spirit to create a golden elixir.
You can mix this Italian liqueur as a sweet treat for evenings when dessert simply doesn’t do the trick. A 1-ounce serving of Frangelico liqueur contains approximately:
- Calories: 103 calories
- Carbs: 11 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Sugar: 10.9 grams
- Alcohol content per volume: 24%
Frangelico Liqueur History
Frangelico liqueur is of Italian origin and is made in the Piedmont Epicurean paradise. The Frangelico brand dates back to 1978, when it was created by the Barbero family. However, its origin goes even farther back in time.
According to old tales, Frangelico’s origin dates back over 300 years, when Christian monks living in the northern Piedmont hills were making liqueurs out of wild hazelnuts.
The brand’s trademark comes from the hermit monk Fra. Angelico, a skillful distiller who inhabited the glorious Piedmont hills during the 18th century. To celebrate the monks’ craftsmanship, the bottle is shaped into a monk’s habit, complete with a rope belt around the middle.
Related Questions
Why Should I Try a Frangelico Substitute?
Frangelico is a premium liqueur with irresistibly rich flavors. However, you may want to broaden your horizons and explore infusing different liqueurs into your favorite cocktail concoction. Consider exploring Frangelico substitutes based on your sweetness preferences, dietary restrictions, and budget, as well as their storage and shelf life.
What Is a Good Substitute for Frangelico?
A good substitute for Frangelico liqueur would be any other hazelnut liqueur or, if unavailable, an almond-flavored liqueur like Amaretto. While the hazelnut flavor notes will differ, an almond-flavored liqueur offers a similar nutty sweetness suitable for many cocktails, cakes, blended drinks, and other sweet recipes.
Is Frangelico the Same as Amaretto?
Frangelico is not the same as Amaretto. While both offer a nutty flavor and sweetness, Frangelico is a hazelnut liqueur, whereas Amaretto is an almond-based liqueur.
What Is the Flavor of Frangelico?
Frangelico has a predominantly hazelnut flavor, with notes of vanilla and cacao beans. This distinct nutty flavor with hints of chocolate makes Frangelico liqueur a versatile ingredient in various blended drinks and baked goods.
Is Frangelico Healthy?
Frangelico liqueur isn’t a healthy drink. This sweet treat contains a high dose of alcohol and sugar. A 1-ounce serving contains 11 grams of sugar, making Frangelico close to 40% sugar by weight. However, you can enjoy Frangelico in moderation without it affecting your health.
What Is a Non-Alcoholic Substitute for Frangelico?
You can use hazelnut liqueur and almond as non-alcoholic alternatives for Frangelico. You’ll only need a few drops of hazelnut extract to substitute Frangelico. So, even if you use a brand containing alcohol, it’ll be too little to have any effect.
What Beverages Would I Enjoy if I Like Frangelico?
If you enjoy Frangelico, you would likely appreciate other nutty drinks or sweet liqueurs. Consider exploring other drinks made with Nocello, or cocktails that incorporate spirits like brandy-based drinks, vodka martinis, or even some tequila-based concoctions that balance sweetness with a good booze kick.
Conclusion
Frangelico is a delightful nutty liqueur that can be served anywhere and anytime. If you don’t have a bottle in your home bar, these replacements still capture the essence of your recipes, allowing you to continue indulging in sweet sensations.
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
