Brandy Alexander
Alessandro Scire CalabrisottoShare
Velvety, chocolatey and quietly decadent, the Brandy Alexander is the cocktail equivalent of a nightcap and a dessert rolled into one. Cognac, crème de cacao and cream come together into something smooth, warming and irresistibly moreish — a drink that has seduced its way through more than a century of after-dinner moments. It looks innocent. It is anything but.
History of the Brandy Alexander
The Brandy Alexander is a richer descendant of an earlier gin-based drink known simply as the Alexander. The brandy version emerged in the early twentieth century, and several stories compete for the credit. One popular tale links it to the 1922 London wedding of Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles, while another points to the bartender Harry MacElhone, then at Ciro's in London, who is credited with popularising the swap of brandy for gin.
The name's origins are just as murky. Theories range from the theatre critic Alexander Woollcott to a New York bartender named Troy Alexander, who is sometimes said to have invented the drink at Rector's. Whatever the truth, the cocktail was cemented in the canon when it appeared in the 1930 edition of The Savoy Cocktail Book, and its popularity only grew from there.
Recipe: How to Make a Classic Brandy Alexander
Ingredients:
- 30 ml (1 oz) cognac
- 30 ml (1 oz) dark crème de cacao
- 30 ml (1 oz) fresh single cream
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with cubed ice.
- Add the cognac, crème de cacao and cream.
- Shake hard for around 15 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
- Grate fresh nutmeg over the top and serve.
Tips for Perfection:
- Grate the nutmeg fresh — it makes all the difference to the aroma.
- Shake vigorously to achieve a smooth, lightly aerated texture.
- Use a good-quality cognac; its character carries the whole drink.
Additional Recommendations
Variations:
- Alexander: the original, made with gin in place of brandy.
- Frozen Brandy Alexander: blend with vanilla ice cream for a true dessert.
- Coffee Alexander: add a dash of coffee liqueur for extra depth.
Pairings:
- Dark chocolate or a rich chocolate dessert.
- Spiced biscuits and shortbread.
- A wedge of strong, mature cheese.
Presentation:
- Serve in a chilled coupe for an elegant, vintage feel.
- Finish with a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg.
Curiosity: A Fun Fact About the Brandy Alexander
The Brandy Alexander has long carried a reputation as a "gateway" cocktail for those who claim not to like spirits — its dessert-like sweetness hides a serious kick. It is famously said to have been a favourite tipple of more than one music legend, its smoothness masking just how potent it really is.