Brandy Alexander
The Brandy Alexander is a nightcap that will satisfy any sweet-tooth. This combination of brandy, crème de cacao, and heavy cream is decadent without being cloyingly so. Although it was originally concocted as a gin-based cocktail, the brandy variation is for all intents and purposes the Alexander cocktail. Crème de cacao, the standout ingredient of the cocktail, comes in both dark and white variants. Generally speaking, the flavor of these two liqueurs is indistinguishable because (more often than not) the coloring is added after the fact; the caveat to this is if you are using higher quality crème de cacao where the color is a naturally acquired. Beyond deciding which color crème de cacao to use, you will also need to decide how you want to incorporate the cream in your cocktail. It is fairly common to add the cream directly into the mixture and to shake it, however, I highly recommend layering the heavy cream with a squeeze bottle maximizing the visual impact of a perfectly layered cocktail. Similar to the presentation of the White Russian, it allows for the cocktail to evolve with each sip you take through the cream. No matter how you prefer to enjoy your Brandy Alexander, don’t forget to garnish it with some freshly grated nutmeg across the top — this small addition will make a big difference in the overall flavor as it will interact with your senses before you ever take that first sip. But don’t take my word for it, make one and try it for yourself!
Brandy Alexander
In your mixing glass, combine the crème de cacao and brandy.
1 oz of Crème de Cacao
1.5 oz of Brandy
1 oz of Heavy Cream (to top)
Add heavy cream to a squeeze bottle and shake until thickened. Next, add ice to your mixing glass and stir until sufficiently chilled (around 25 to 30 seconds). Strain contents into your chilled coupe glass and layer the heavy cream to settle on the top. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
TIP(S):
Chill your cocktail coupe — to extend the life of your Brandy Alexander, place your cocktail coupe in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can place ice water in your cocktail coupe cocktail glass during the preparation.
