Alexander cocktail in a coupe — Heavy cream

Alexander Cocktail Recipe

creamy sweet dessert

cognac, creme de cacao, heavy cream

History

The Alexander is a pre-Prohibition classic that first appeared in print around 1915–1916. The original version used gin, white crème de cacao, and cream. The brandy (or cognac) version that followed soon after became the more popular form and is the one most people know today as the Brandy Alexander. This page is that drink: equal parts cognac, crème de cacao, and heavy cream, shaken and finished with nutmeg. Dark crème de cacao from the pantry makes it browner; white keeps it pale. If cognac and cream are already on the shelf, this is the dessert cocktail to mix before you buy another chocolate liqueur.

Ingredients

cognac 1 oz

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creme de cacao 1 oz

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heavy cream 1 oz

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Missing a bottle? Stock your pantry to see what else you can mix.

How to make

Chill a coupe in the freezer so the cream drink stays cold after the shake.
Add 1 oz cognac, 1 oz crème de cacao, and 1 oz heavy cream to a shaker with ice.
Equal parts; brandy from the pantry is the usual swap and is why people search Brandy Alexander.
Shake hard until the tin is frosty and the cream is silky, about 15 seconds.
Double-strain into the coupe.
Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
Skip bottled nutmeg if you can — the fresh grate is the aroma.

Glassware

Coupe

A wide bowl shows aroma and holds stirred or shaken drinks without stemware tipping over as easily as a V-shaped martini glass.

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Alexander FAQ

Is an Alexander the same as a Brandy Alexander?

This page is the brandy version people search as Brandy Alexander: equal parts cognac, crème de cacao, and heavy cream, shaken and finished with nutmeg. The older Alexander used gin instead of cognac.

What ingredients are in an Alexander?

An Alexander is made with cognac, creme de cacao, and heavy cream. Amounts and pantry matching are in the ingredients list on this page.

How do you make an Alexander?

Chill a coupe in the freezer so the cream drink stays cold after the shake. Add 1 oz cognac, 1 oz crème de cacao, and 1 oz heavy cream to a shaker with ice. Equal parts; brandy from the pantry is the usual swap and is why people search Brandy Alexander. Shake hard until the tin is frosty and the cream is silky, about 15 seconds. Double-strain into the coupe. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg. Skip bottled nutmeg if you can — the fresh grate is the aroma.

What glass do you serve an Alexander in?

Serve an Alexander in a Coupe. A wide bowl shows aroma and holds stirred or shaken drinks without stemware tipping over as easily as a V-shaped martini glass.