This hazelnut chocolate liqueur drink is quick & easy to make and a great homemade liqueur to enjoy yourself or to gift to loved ones.
Think of it as Ferrero Rocher liqueur and pair it with a slice of Ferrero Rocher tiffin for a themed drink and snack indulgence.
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Why I love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: This recipe involves 1 pan and around 15 minutes of your time.
- Fun: The notion of Ferrero Rocher liqueur is playful and loaded with nostalgic charm.
- Out of the ordinary: We all know the country's favourite Irish Cream, but sometimes presenting something different and entirely unexpected in the way of creamy drinks is the way to impress.
- Great for gifting: Grown-up chocoholics will be delighted to receive a little bottle of this Ferrero Rocher drink.
Jump to:
I call this creamy chocolate liqueur Ferrero Rocher liqueur due to the inclusion of Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur from Italy.
I have a growing collection of chocolate liqueur recipes where you will find plenty of other popular confectionary-themed creations like this Ferrero Rocher alcoholic drink. Feast your eyes on recipes for After Eight chocolate liqueur, chocolate orange liqueur and Mars Bar liqueur. They all make unique serves at parties or fabulous gifts for the grown-up chocolate lover in your life.
Ingredients Notes
Chocolate: Semi-sweet chocolate with around 50% cocoa solids is perfect for this Ferrero Rocher liqueur recipe. If you cannot find it use equal parts milk chocolate and dark chocolate with 72% cocoa solids.
Non-alcoholic liquids: Use single cream (or cream with 18% fat content), standard condensed milk and whole milk.
Brandy: This adds depth of flavour and stops the drink from becoming overly sweet. You don't have to use expensive brandy, but do ensure it is one you do enjoy the flavour of. I happened to have Carlos brandy in the cupboard but would typically opt for Three Barrels for this recipe.
Hazelnut liqueur: It is easy to find Frangelico hazelnut liqueur on Amazon. However, feel free to use an alternative brand provided it has a similar alcohol content (20% ABV) and it is not a creamy hazelnut liqueur).
Step by Step Instructions
Full instructions and measurements are given in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Step 1. Pour the cream and milk into a small saucepan. Add the condensed milk. Heat over a gentle heat until the cream mixture reaches approximately 70°C (do not let it boil).
Step 2. Chop the chocolate finely and add to the cream. Stir briefly, then let the contents of the pan sit for 1 minute. Use a handheld whisk or wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until smooth and no lumps of chocolate remain.
Step 3. Add the vanilla extract, brandy and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur. Whisk well using a handheld whisk or stir with a wooden spoon.
Step 4 (optional): For an ultra smooth finish, strain your cream liqueur through a nut bag. Decant into a sealable bottle, label and seal.
Storage Instructions
This chocolate hazelnut themed Ferrero Rocher drink must be stored in the fridge as it contains fresh cream. Keep it in a sealable bottle or container and it will stay fresh for at least 4 weeks.
Expert Tips
- Use clean equipment: Even a slight trace of acidic substances, such as citrus juice or vinegar, will cause the liqueur to split (curdle).
- Check the use-by date on your cream: If your cream is near or at it's use-by date be aware that this will reduce the shelf-life of your chocolate hazelnut liqueur. It's better to use cream that is well within date.
- Shake well before serving: It is natural for the indredients to settle as the bottle is stored in the fridge. Give it a firm shake for around 30 seconds to redistribute all ingredients before pouring a glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, vodka can be used in place of brandy when making this creamy chocolate liqueur. Note that brandy adds mellowness to the final flavour which won't be present if you swap to vodka.
Some chocolate liqueur recipes do use cocoa powder in place of chocolate. However, the recipe for this creamy chocolate hazelnut liqueur is made with real chocolate for a smooth and indulgent texture.
Cocoa is more bitter than the semi-sweet chocolate used in this recipe so using it would also affect the final flavour of this drink. I have not tried replacing the chocolate with cocoa powder so cannot recommend a suitable amount of cocoa to use.
Any creamy chocolate liqueur drink will split if it comes into contact with something acidic during the making, storing or serving of it. For this reason, it is vital to ensure that all equipment, the storage bottle and serving glasses are extremely clean and have no trace of acidic ingredients (such as lemon juice or vinegar). Also avoid using citrus-based garnishes for your drink.
Serving Suggestions
- Neat: Pour it into a glass straight from the fridge.
- On the rocks: Try your chocolate hazelnut liqueur served over ice.
- Garnished: Decorations are everything. Thread Ferrero Rocher chocolates onto cocktail picks for a fun, on-theme, presentation.
- As part of dessert: Pour it over ice cream (vanilla, chocolate or coffee flavour ice creams all pair well).
- With dessert: This chocolate hazelnut liqueur is lovely alongside Ferrero Rocher cake or Ferrero Rocher cheesecake.
- Gift it: Decant into small bottles and gift them to friends.
More Homemade Chocolate Liqueurs
Want a non-chocolate based alternative? How about gingerbread cream liqueur or caramel cream liqueur?
Have you made this delicious hazelnut chocolate liqueur drink? Please rate the recipe or leave a comment - I love hearing how you get along with my creations.
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📖 Recipe
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Hazelnut Chocolate Liqueur Drink
Ingredients
- 150 ml Single cream 18% fat content
- 3 tablespoons Whole milk
- 2 tablespoons Condensed milk
- 50 g Semi-sweet chocolate (50% cocoa solids) - or use 25g milk chocolate and 25g dark chocolate with 70% cocoa solids
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 100 ml Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur
- 50 ml Brandy
Instructions
- Pour the cream and milk into a small saucepan. Add the condensed milk. Heat over a gentle heat until the cream mixture reaches approximately 70°C (do not let it boil).150 ml Single cream, 3 tablespoons Whole milk, 2 tablespoons Condensed milk
- Chop the chocolate finely and add to the cream. Stir briefly, then let the contents of the pan sit for 1 minute. Use a handheld whisk or wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until smooth and no lumps of chocolate remain.50 g Semi-sweet chocolate
- Add the vanilla extract, brandy and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur. Whisk well using a handheld whisk or stir with a wooden spoon.1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, 100 ml Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, 50 ml Brandy
- (Optional) For an ultra smooth finish, strain your cream liqueur through a nut bag.
- Decant into a sealable bottle, label, seal and store in the fridge.
Notes
- Use clean equipment: Even a slight trace of acidic substances, such as citrus juice or vinegar, will cause the liqueur to split (curdle).
- Check the use-by date on your cream: If your cream is near or at it's use-by date be aware that this will reduce the shelf-life of your chocolate hazelnut liqueur. It's better to use cream that is well within date.
- Keep refrigerated: This hazelnut chocolate liqueur drink must be stored in the fridge as it contains fresh cream. Store it in a sealable bottle or container and it will stay fresh for at least 4 weeks.
- Shake well before serving: It is natural for the indredients to settle as the bottle is stored in the fridge. Give it a firm shake for around 30 seconds to redistribute all ingredients before pouring a glass.
- Swap the brandy: Vodka can be used in place of brandy when making this chocolate liqueur drink. Note that brandy adds mellowness to the final flavour which won't be present if you swap to vodka.
Serving Suggestions
- Neat: Pour it into a glass straight from the fridge.
- On the rocks: Try your chocolate hazelnut liqueur served over ice.
- Garnished: Decorations are everything. Thread Ferrero Rocher chocolates onto cocktail picks for a fun, on-theme presentation.
- As part of dessert: Pour it over ice cream (vanilla, chocolate or coffee flavour ice creams all pair well).
- With dessert: This chocolate liqueur drink is lovely alongside Ferrero Rocher cake or Ferrero Rocher cheesecake.
- Gift it: Decant into small bottles and gift them to friends.
Jane Coupland says
My taste testers loved this version of chocolate liqueur. I hope you do to.