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Brandy Alexander
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Brandy Alexander
Glass:
Photographed in an Urban Bar Plain Retro Coupette 15cl
| 1 2⁄3 fl oz | Cognac (brandy) |
| 1⁄2 fl oz | De Kuyper Brown Crème de Cacao |
| 1⁄3 fl oz | Giffard White Crème de Cacao Liqueur |
| 3⁄4 fl oz | Whipping cream chilled |
Prepare:
- Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
- Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist grated nutmeg.
How to make:
- SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
- FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
Garnish:
- EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and discard.
- Dust with freshly grated nutmeg.
Allergens:
Recipe contains the following allergens:
- Whipping cream - Dairy
Strength & taste guide:
No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Cocktail of the day:
31st January 2026 is Brandy Alexander Day
Review:
This after-dinner classic is rich, creamy and subtly chocolaty.
AKA: Alexander No. 2, The Panama
History:
The original Alexander was gin-based, but in the early 1920s, Harry MacElhone, then a bartender at Ciro's in London, is credited with starting the trend of using brandy in place of gin. What became known as the Brandy Alexander quickly displaced the original gin-based cocktail.
MacElhone's creation of the brandy-based Alexander is supported by the first recipe for such a cocktail appearing in his 1923 Harry of Ciro's ABC of mixing cocktails
Alexander Cocktail.
Harry MacElhone, Harry of Ciro's ABC of mixing cocktails, 1923
⅓ Crème de Cacao, ⅓ Brandy, ⅓ Fresh Cream.
Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.
In his 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book, Harry Craddock includes the gin-based Alexander Cocktail No. 1 and the brandy-based Alexander Cocktail No. 2, along with a gin-based and crème de menthe-influenced Alexander's Sister.
ALEXANDER COCKTAIL. (No. 1.)
Harry Craddock, 1930
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.
Ladies are advised to avoid this Cocktail as often as possible.
Nutrition:
One serving of Brandy Alexander contains 230 calories
Alcohol content:
- 1.4 standard drinks
- 19.23% alc./vol. (38.46° proof)
- 20.1 grams of pure alcohol
- More Classic/vintage cocktails
- More Creamy (e.g. Dirty banana) cocktails
- More Dessert cocktails cocktails
- More Hall of Fame & must know/try cocktails
- More Nightcap/sipping cocktails
Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.
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This is one of the best evening cocktail to help in digestion and relax before bed. I either cut back a little on the liqueurs as they make it a bit sweet, add a bit more brandy/cognac, or add some Chocolate Bitters. Or a combination of all. Enjoy.
This one is well balanced, brandy forward, lightly creamy, chocolate lingering in the aftertaste.
It may have been John Lennon's favourite, but it isn't ours.