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Brandy Alexander

Classic/vintage · Creamy (e.g. Dirty banana) · Dessert cocktails

4.2 177 ratings

Ingredients

1 2/3 oz Cognac (brandy)
1/2 oz Brown/dark cacao liqueur
1/3 oz White crème de cacao
3/4 oz Whipping cream

How to make

Serve in a coupe glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist grated nutmeg.

Method

  1. 3 SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and discard.
  2. 6 Dust with freshly grated nutmeg.

Flavour profile

19.8% alc./vol. · 1.5 standard drinks · 230 calories

History

A rich, creamy, and subtly chocolaty after-dinner classic.

The original Alexander featured gin; however, in the early 1920s, Harry MacElhone, then a bartender at Ciro's in London, is recognized for popularizing the substitution of brandy for gin. This variation, known as the Brandy Alexander, soon overshadowed the original gin-based version. MacElhone's introduction of the brandy-based Alexander is substantiated by the first recorded recipe for this type of cocktail, appearing in his 1923 publication, Harry of Ciro's ABC of mixing cocktails: Alexander Cocktail. ⅓ Crème de Cacao, ⅓ Brandy, ⅓ Fresh Cream. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. In his 1930 book, The Savoy Cocktail Book, Harry Craddock lists the gin-based Alexander Cocktail No. 1 and the brandy-based Alexander Cocktail No. 2. He also includes Alexander's Sister, a gin-based drink with Crème de Menthe. ALEXANDER COCKTAIL. (No. 1.) ½ Dry Gin. ¼ Crème de Cacao. ¼ Sweet Cream. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. ALEXANDER COCKTAIL. (No. 2.) ⅓ Crème de Cacao. ⅓ Brandy. ⅓ Fresh Cream. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. ALEXANDER's SISTER COCKTAIL.) ⅓ Gin. ⅓ Fresh Cream. ⅓ Crème de Menthe. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. It is advised that ladies should generally avoid this Cocktail.

Also known as Alexander No. 2, The Panama