Surprisingly enough, the first brandy Alexander recipe didn’t originally contain brandy! Its origins are a bit murky, but the cocktail was likely invented by New York City bartender Tony Alexander. As the story goes, Alexander combined gin, chocolate liqueur and heavy cream to create a decadent white cocktail that matched the white dress worn by fictional character for train marketing, Phoebe Snow. Somewhere along the line, the cocktail lost the gin, and the Alexander #2 became a famous brandy cocktail.
Most brandy Alexander recipes are made by shaking equal parts brandy, dark crème de cacao and heavy whipping cream with ice, and straining the dessert-like, chocolatey mixture into a chilled coupe glass. In our version, we lean a little heavier into the brandy to double down on the spirit’s fruity flavor. This tones down the cocktail’s richer, sweeter elements. Of course, you should feel free to adjust the ratio and create a version that suits your fancy.
Ingredients for Brandy Alexander
- Brandy: Brandy is a spirit distilled from fruit wine. It has a sweet, fruity flavor and notes of vanilla and warming spices from the oak-aging process. If you’re hesitant to buy brandy because you’re unsure what to do with the rest of the bottle, try using it in popular brandy cocktails like brandy old-fashioned or sangria.
- Dark crème de cacao: There are two types of chocolate liqueur, and we prefer dark crème de cacao for its richer, more chocolate-forward flavor. You can swap in the lighter-flavored white crème de cacao, but the cocktail will be thicker and less chocolatey.
- Heavy whipping cream: This isn’t a recipe that should be lightened up with a heavy cream substitute. Heavy cream is responsible for the cocktail’s smooth, velvety consistency.
- Nutmeg: A dusting of grated nutmeg gives a touch of warmth and an aromatic finish.
- Pirouette cookies (optional): Finish the cocktail with rolled wafers to accentuate the sophisticated dessert vibes.
Directions
Step 1: Shake
Fill a shaker half full with ice. Add the brandy, crème de cacao and heavy whipping cream. Cover and shake until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker, 10 to 15 seconds.
Step 2: Strain and garnish with nutmeg
Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Then, garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and if desired, pirouette cookies.
Brandy Alexander Variations
- Gin Alexander: Make the brandy Alexander’s parent cocktail by swapping gin for whiskey. You may want to reduce the gin to 1 ounce for assertive, juniper-forward gins, which could overpower the delicate chocolate flavors. (Check out the best gins for negroni if you need help finding a gin brand.)
- Frozen brandy Alexander: Blend the brandy and crème de cacao with ice cream instead of heavy whipping cream to create an adult milkshake.
Can you make brandy Alexander ahead of time?
You can make this brandy Alexander recipe ahead of time and store it in a lidded container in the refrigerator. Heavy whipping cream is perishable, so plan on enjoying the cocktail within three days.
Brandy Alexander Tips
What is the best brandy for a brandy Alexander?
Opt for a brandy in the mid-price range with a flavor you enjoy enough to sip as an after-dinner drink. You can use brandy distilled from grapes or apples, as either flavor profile works well in a brandy Alexander cocktail. Experiment with different types of brandy to find one you like. Popular brandies include Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, applejack, grappa and pisco.
Can you make brandy Alexander with cognac?
You can make brandy Alexanders with brandy or cognac, a specific type of brandy. Cognac is a grape-based brandy produced in the French town of Cognac. It’s protected by the appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC), which means there are specific rules about the grape varieties used and the distillation process.
