Brandy Alexander Cocktail Recipe and Pro Tips

The Brandy Alexander is a classic, creamy dessert cocktail that blends brandy (or cognac) with crème de cacao (a chocolate liqueur), cream, and a garnish of freshly grated nutmeg.

If you love chocolate or creamy drinks, the Brandy Alexander is for you! This cocktail was originally made with gin, but this variation with brandy helped to skyrocket its popularity and make it the enduring classic it is today.

The story behind the Alexander

Like most cocktails, the Alexander's origins are a bit hazy. There are a number of conflicting stories about who invented the drink, and who exactly Alexander was, but the one thing we do know is that before there was a Brandy Alexander, there was just the Alexander.

The first Alexander cocktail was made with equal parts gin, crème de cacao and cream. Gin isn’t typically my first thought when I think dessert drinks, so it’s not a huge surprise that the Brandy Alexander eventually overtook the original in popularity.

It's thought that the switch to brandy from gin was because of the declining quality of gin during Prohibition. Initially known as the Alexander #2, it’s a mystery who first swapped the gin for brandy.

What we do know is that the first Alexander appeared in print in 1916 in Recipes for Mixed Drinks by Hugo Ensslin. The first mention of the Alexander #2 was 14 years later in the classic Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock.

Who was Alexander?

Depending on who you ask, you might hear that this drink was named for the Russian tsar Alexander II, a prominent drama critic named Alexander Woolcott, or a NYC bartender named Troy Alexander. 

According to Gary Regan, the most likely inventor was Troy Alexander, while he was the bartender at New York’s Hotel Rector. The story is that Alexander needed to create a white cocktail for an event the hotel was hosting in honor of one Phoebe Snow. Read more about Phoebe Snow and the history of the Brandy Alexander.

One recipe, two ways

The original Alexander and Alexander #2 recipes called for equal parts of all three ingredients.

Renowned bartender and author Gary Regan created a more modern take on the equal parts recipe by upping the brandy to 1 ½ ounces. Both drinks are great, but I agree that the extra half ounce of brandy makes a more balanced, slightly less sweet-tasting cocktail.

If you prefer a less boozy drink, go with equal parts. For a more prominent brandy flavor, use the recipe listed below.

What brandy to use?

Use any brandy or cognac you prefer. Some great choices are Hardy, Hennessy, Hine or Remy Martin. Just be sure that you're using brandy the liquor, and not a flavored one (which are most often liqueurs). Find more suggestions for the best brandys to drink.

What is crème de cacao?

Crème de cacao is a sweet chocolate flavored liqueur that comes in dark and white varieties. You can use either dark or white crème de cacao in a Brandy Alexander. I recommend the wonderful Crème de Cacao à la Vanille by Tempus Fugit.

While you could try other types of chocolate liqueurs, the best substitute for crème de cacao in a Brandy Alexander is a quality dark chocolate syrup. This will give you an authentic chocolate flavor. Crème liqueurs are also sweeter than other types of liqueurs, so you may not need to adjust this recipe if substituting with a syrup. Start with an equal measure (1 oz or 2 tbsp) and adjust from there. If using a thick syrup, you may want to stir it into your other ingredients before shaking with ice to ensure it is fully incorporated.

Brandy Alexander vs. White Russian

Although some sources say that you can substitute the coffee liqueur Kahlua for crème de cacao in a pinch, the two liqueurs are not interchangeable.

If you make a Brandy Alexander with Kahlua or another coffee liqueur, you'll have created a brandy White Russian. While this is a delicious drink, it's not at all the same. A White Russian is made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, and typically served on the rocks, instead of shaken. Side note: replacing the vodka with brandy (or aged rum, or even whiskey) is actually a great way to add flavor and depth to the classic White Russian.

What type of cream to use

Heavy cream is the dairy of choice for this classic, and it will produce the very best Alexander. However, you can attempt this recipe with other options like light cream, whole milk, coconut cream (unsweetened), or even oatmilk. Keep in mind that heavy cream lends the drink a richness and texture that aren't matched by thin-bodied milks like almond milk or low fat milks.

Make it a frozen Brandy Alexander

For a frozen, even more indulgent variation, try replacing the cream with a scoop of ice cream! Chocolate or vanilla both work great. Toss all ingredients in a blender with a scoop of crushed ice for a thick frozen treat.

Pro tips for the perfect cocktail

If you want to take your Brandy Alexander from ordinary to exceptional, follow these pro tips below!

Don't skip the fresh nutmeg

I highly recommend using a microplane and freshly grating some nutmeg over the top of the cocktail for the garnish. This seemingly small aromatic addition adds a LOT to the flavors of the drink. If you don't have fresh nutmeg, a little sprinkle of ground nutmeg from a jar is ok, although it is much less fragrant.

Chill your glass in advance

Place your cocktail glass in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before serving. A chilled glass will keep you drink cold for much longer, meaning that your last sip is as enjoyable as the first.

Use plenty of ice

Add you ingredients to the cocktail shaker first, then fill it with ice. Shake hard until the shaker is very frosty, then strain into your chilled glass. Using plenty of ice will ensure that your drink is properly chilled and diluted.

Double strain

For the silkiest texture possible, strain your cocktail through a fine mesh strainer. This will remove tiny ice shards that float on the surface of the drink and make some sips, dare I say, crunchy.

How many calories and carbs are in a Brandy Alexander?

This indulgent cocktail isn't the best choice for anyone counting calories. Here's an estimated breakdown of the drink's nutritional info. It's difficult to get solid numbers on liqueurs, so the carbohydrates and calories are estimated based on information I could find online.

• Calories: 310
• Fat: 11g
• Carbohydrates: 10-16g (varying data on crème de cacao)
• Protein: <1g

If you love dessert cocktails, you might also enjoy:

• Peanut Butter Brandy Alexander
• Boozy Salted Caramel Cold Brew
• Adaptogenic Bourbon Alexander
• Brown Sugar Espresso Martini
• Christmas Sugar Cookie Martini

Want more classic brandy cocktails? Try a Jack Rose with Calvados (a French apple brandy), a classic New Orleans Vieux Carre, or a Sazerac with cognac.