Brandy Alexander

Last week I made an Alexander for my Friday Cocktails because it was one of Greg Henry’s Savory Cocktails, a wonderful cocktail book full of delicious drink recipes and interesting factoids. (If you’re a cocktail fan, you want this book. So head on over here for your chance to win it.) But until I’d read about the cocktail in Henry’s book, I’d never heard of it. What I had heard of however, was the Brandy Alexander.

See, my mother was a huge fan of this particular cocktail when she was younger. It was actually her drink of choice whenever she went out. So since I made the original Alexander last week, I thought I’d introduce you to the brandy version this week, also known as the Alexander II.

Unlike the original Alexander, which is a gin based drink, this version switches out the gin for brandy, making it an even sweeter cocktail. It’s believed the alcoholic switch was made in 1922 London during the wedding reception for Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles. Although a hit at the regal affair, the cocktail stayed under the radar until 1962 when Jack Lemmon introduced the drink to Lee Remick in The Days of Wine and Roses. Since then the drink has been a popular choice in bars everywhere.

It’s super easy to make, and a rich cocktail to enjoy in front of a roaring fire. So the next time you’re in the mood for something creamy and delicious, skip the more common White Russian and go for the regal Brandy Alexander. It was created for royalty after all.

Brandy Alexander

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. brandy
• 1 oz. dark crème de cacao
• 1 oz heavy cream
• dash of grated nutmeg

Directions:

1. Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for about a minute. Strain into a cocktail glass. Grate the nutmeg over it and serve.