The glitzy Brandy Alexander recipe hails from the 1920s Great Gatsby era and became the coolest cocktail of the 1970s when Beatles fans discovered it was John Lennon’s favourite drink. Glamorous, romantic and oh-so-sweet, the Brandy Alexander cocktail brings a delicious mix of brandy and chocolate liqueur to the party, with the indulgent addition of cream for an extra smooth and silky texture. This boozy dessert cocktail is ideal for those who always crave an after-dinner sweet.
Brandy Alexander Cocktail
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
Fill a shaker or mason jar with ice
02
Add the cognac and chocolate liqueur, and shake until well-chilled
03
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, such as a martini glass or coupe
04
Garnish with a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon, if you like
Where did this drink come from?
With John Lennon’s stamp of approval on board, Brandy Alexander oozes true 70’s style, but the origins of this story go way back to the early 1900s. Hotel Rector was all in vogue in pre-prohibition New York City, and dirty coal-fuelled travel was on the way out.
Posters advertising the local railroad’s clean-burning anthracite trains featured a fictional Phoebe Snow, adorned in a snow-white gown. To celebrate the campaign’s success, the railroad held a dinner at Rector’s, New York’s go-to spot. Inspired by Ms. Snow, bartender Troy Alexander played around with ingredients, using gin then, not brandy, to create an all-white drink, and the Brandy Alexander was born.
Brandy Alexander variations
With so many kinds of brandy around, mix it up and experiment a little until you find your perfect serve. For apple brandy cocktails that give cosy apple pie vibes, try calvados, which is a French brandy made with apples, or choose an aged cognac for a deeper flavour profile. To really dial up the indulgence, swap the cream for ice cream for a boozy milkshake version of the Brandy Alexander.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a cocktail with a meal. Just choose your match carefully. The decadent boozy milkshake would be best with a light meal.
