Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

One of the most recognizable bottles behind any well-stocked bar — the friar's-habit silhouette is the visual shorthand for Italian hazelnut liqueur. Frangelico is produced in Canale, in the hills of Piedmont, using Tonda Gentile hazelnuts, a regional variety prized for its size, sweetness, and clean-toasting character. The hazelnuts are harvested, shelled, toasted, and crushed before infusion and distillation, then blended with extracts of coffee, cocoa, and vanilla for a liqueur that is sweet but not cloying — rich with roasted nut and warm spice, with a long, smooth finish. Originally created by the Barbero family in 1978, inspired by a 300-year-old tradition of Piedmontese monastic distilling, the brand has been part of Gruppo Campari since 2010. At 20% ABV, it's lighter than most liqueurs, which makes it genuinely versatile.

Cocktail Suggestions: Neat over ice with an orange twist; espresso martini (sub for or alongside coffee liqueur); Frangelico sour (with lemon juice and egg white); stir into hot chocolate or affogato; add a half-ounce to a Manhattan for a nutty depth