This Frangelico Sour cocktail is a nutty twist on the classic sour, made with hazelnut liqueur, fresh lemon juice and a silky foam. Sweet, citrusy and lightly spiced with bitters, it’s an easy cocktail that delivers big flavour with minimal effort. If you love an Amaretto Sour, this is its richer, hazelnut-forward cousin.
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What Is a Frangelico Sour?
Frangelico is an Italian hazelnut liqueur from Piedmont, known for its warm notes of roasted hazelnuts, cocoa and vanilla. It’s often enjoyed on its own, but it also works beautifully in cocktails.
A Frangelico Sour follows the classic sour formula: spirit, citrus and sweetness. Here, the nutty depth of Frangelico is balanced by fresh lemon juice and a touch of sweetness, then shaken with egg white to create a creamy foam.
If you’re familiar with an Amaretto Sour, this cocktail follows similar ratios, just with hazelnut instead of almond.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur) – This Italian liqueur brings notes of roasted hazelnut, cocoa and vanilla.
- Fresh lemon juice – Fresh is best!
- Egg white – Replace with aquafaba for a vegan alternative, or leave out entirely if you’d prefer.
- Angostura bitters
- Dried lemon slice (to serve) – Optional garnish for presentation.
How to Make a Frangelico Sour
Step 1: Add Frangelico, lemon juice, egg white and bitters to a cocktail shaker.
Step 2: Dry shake (without ice) for about 15 seconds to build foam.
Step 3: Add ice and shake again for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.
Step 4: Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass. Garnish with a dried lemon slice or maraschino cherry.
Tips for the Best Frangelico Sour
- Dry shake first – Shaking without ice helps build a stable foam before chilling the drink.
- Use fresh lemon juice – Bottled juice won’t give the same brightness or balance.
- Adjust sweetness to taste – If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a small splash of simple syrup.
- Chill your glass – A cold coupe keeps the drink crisp and prevents the foam from collapsing too quickly.
- Fine strain for a smooth finish – This removes ice shards and creates a silky texture.
FAQs
Can I make a Frangelico Sour without egg white?
Yes. The egg white simply creates foam. You could substitute with aquafaba if you’d prefer a vegan option, however the drink will still taste balanced if you omit the foam ingredient entirely.
Is Frangelico very sweet?
Frangelico is a sweet liqueur, but the lemon juice in this cocktail balances it beautifully.
What glass should I serve a Frangelico Sour in?
Traditionally, a sour is served in a coupe glass, but a rocks glass with ice also works well.
Can I batch this cocktail?
You can pre-mix the Frangelico and lemon juice, but shake with egg white fresh for the best foam.
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this Frangelico Sour cocktail, here are a few more drinks to add to your rotation — whether you’re in the mood for something refreshing, herbaceous or alcohol-free.
- Coconut Tequila Highball – Light, bubbly and tropical, this easy tequila cocktail is perfect for warm afternoons.
- Gin Basil Smash – Fresh basil and citrus make this bright, herbaceous drink a crowd favourite.
- Zero Proof Cherry Sour (Non-Alcoholic) – All the sweet and sour balance of a classic sour, without the alcohol.
📖 Recipe
Frangelico Sour Cocktail
Ingredients
- 60 mL Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)
- 30 mL fresh lemon juice
- 15 mL egg white
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Ice
- Dried lemon slice or maraschino cherry to serve
Instructions
- Add Frangelico, lemon juice, egg white and bitters to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake without ice (dry shake) for 15 seconds to build foam.
- Add ice and shake again for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass or rocks glass with ice.
- Garnish with a dried lemon slice or maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, replace the egg white with equal parts aquafaba.
- For a sweeter drink, add 5–10 mL simple syrup.
- Skip the egg white if you prefer a sharper, lighter cocktail without foam.
