Gastronomic Trendsetters And Hazelnut Lovers Unite To Declare September National Hazelnut Month

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- While not having achieved the notoriety of the peanut, almond or pecan, Italy's trademark nut is about to get its day - or more accurately, its month - in the spotlight.  Frangelico® Hazelnut Liqueur, along with chefs and bartenders nationwide, is officially proclaiming September as the first-ever National Hazelnut Month.

In the shadow of National Pecan Month (April), National Almond Day (February 16^th) and National Peanut Month (March), hazelnuts seem to have lost their place in moments dedicated to honoring history's great nuts, and for no good reason.  The use and flavor of hazelnuts has become increasingly popular among culinary elites and foodies nationwide. Yet, for some reason one of the world's favorite nut varieties is conspicuously missing from the gastronomic calendar. 

To rectify this, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur has teamed up with gastronomic trendsetters to bring consumers new and inventive ways to incorporate the hazelnut flavor into their culinary and cocktail recipes this September. Chef Paul Corsentino, who has appeared on Food Network's The Next Iron Chef, Super Chefs and Iron Chef America, has signed onto the National Hazelnut Month Movement. "Hazelnuts are the perfect fall flavor," he notes. "They add a wonderful taste to dishes both savory and sweet, and are surprisingly versatile."

HOW TO INDULGE

FREQUENT THE NATIONAL – In celebration of the hazelnut, Food Network Chef Geoffrey Zakarian's restaurant, The National, in New York's Benjamin Hotel, is set to unveil a limited-edition hazelnut menu including items for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.  Hazelnut lovers will be able to indulge in their favorite nut flavor with inventive and inspired dishes, created by the restaurant's Executive Chef, Paul Corsentino.  The menu, which is available for the entire month of September, will feature creations including Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry Compote, Candied Hazelnuts and Frangelico Maple Syrup; Hazelnut and Lobster Cannelloni; and Roasted Duck with Hazelnut Fregola Risotto.  A dessert using Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur will also appear on the menu.  A portion of the proceeds from this special hazelnut menu will be donated to City Harvest, the world's first food rescue organization.

SIP FRANGELICO HAZELNUT LIQUEUR – National Hazelnut Month's official signature cocktail is the Fall Basket.  The cocktail will be served at The National alongside the limited edition hazelnut menu.

Fall Basket
1 oz. Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur
1 1/2 oz. apple infused vodka
Splash of simple syrup
Splash of cranberry juice
Brown sugar rim, Served up, garnished with a thin slice of apple
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120906/NY68848 )  

FIND YOUR SWEET TOOTH – Bakeshops are jumping on board to join in the celebration of National Hazelnut Month.

• Isabelle's Curly Cakes, a Todd English establishment, will be serving hazelnut cupcakes featuring Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur from their Boston bakery, also available online at izzyscurlycakes.com
• Butter Lane Cupcake Bakery will offer a specialty Frangelico cupcake in their East Village, New York location and online at butterlane.com
• We Take the Cake, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will offer an assortment of Frangelico cakes and cupcakes at their retail shop and online at wetakethecake.com

GET NUTTY – Nuts.com, a family owned business for more than 22 years and the authority on all things nuts, will offer a limited edition hazelnut gift basket during the month of September. This gift basket will delight any hazelnut fan with a medley of raw hazelnuts, salted roasted hazelnuts, in-the-shell hazelnuts, dark chocolate covered hazelnuts, raw Duchilly hazelnuts, and Hazelnut Supreme coffee.

For more information please visit Facebook.com/Frangelico or FrangelicoUSA.com.

About Frangelico
Frangelico, the original hazelnut liqueur, can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, on the rocks with a squeeze of lime or as a central flavor component in delicious dessert cocktails.  Surprisingly light and smooth, Frangelico's taste has been recognized and honored by a gold medal and "Exceptional" score of "90" – the highest score in its category – by the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute (BTI).  Its decadent flavor notes add depth to innovative signature cocktails like the Iced Chocolate Cake and the Nuts N' Berries or to classics like Frangelico N' Coffee. Frangelico retails for approximately $24.99 and is available at fine restaurants, bars and retailers nationwide.

About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM).  At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry.  The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka.  The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800's.  Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Campari America manages Gruppo Campari's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell's Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolon® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaca and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, McClelland's® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Cana® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

SOURCE Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur