This Brandy Alexander recipe is a classic creamy dessert cocktail made with brandy, creme de cacao and heavy cream shaken until silky and capped with freshly grated nutmeg. It tastes like a grown up chocolate milkshake in a coupe, smooth and rich without being overly sweet.
When we serve Brandy Alexanders at winter events, they tend to be the quiet favorite. Guests who normally order espresso martinis will pull us aside and ask what that chocolate cocktail is that keeps going by. We batch the base in a small shaker line behind the bar, keep the cream cold in a speed pour and shake each drink to order so the texture stays frothy and the nutmeg aroma pops the second it hits the room.
How to Make a Brandy Alexander
- Chill the glass. Place a coupe or small martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes. A cold glass keeps the creamy cocktail thick and smooth.
- Add ingredients to the shaker. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the brandy, dark creme de cacao and heavy cream or half and half.
- Shake until frothy and cold. Seal the shaker and shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside feels very cold and you can hear the texture thicken inside. The cream should foam slightly so the drink pours with a silky top layer.
- Strain into the chilled glass. Remove the glass from the freezer. Strain the cocktail into the glass. For an ultra smooth Brandy Alexander, double strain through a fine mesh strainer to catch any ice shards.
- Garnish and serve. Grate a light dusting of fresh nutmeg over the top and add a few chocolate shavings if you like. Serve immediately while it is very cold.
Bartender notes
- Heavy cream gives the most luxurious texture, but half and half works well if you prefer a slightly lighter drink. Avoid using straight milk or it will taste thin.
- At events we often pre chill the brandy and creme de cacao in the cooler so the cocktail does not rely only on ice to get cold. That keeps dilution under control and the flavor more concentrated.
- Brandy Alexanders are a great last round. They read as dessert and often help slow guests down after a night of more spirit forward drinks like martinis or old fashioneds.
Brandy Alexander Variations
- Frozen Brandy Alexander. Blend 1 1/2 ounces brandy, 1 ounce creme de cacao, 2 scoops vanilla ice cream and a small handful of ice until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with nutmeg. This is the ice cream version many guests remember from supper clubs.
- Alexander with gin. Swap the brandy for a London dry gin for a more classic Alexander. You will pick up a little juniper and spice that plays nicely with the chocolate.
- Mocha Brandy Alexander. Add 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur to the shaker and garnish with a few coffee beans for a dessert drink that lands between an espresso martini and a Brandy Alexander.
- Nutty Brandy Alexander. Replace half of the creme de cacao with hazelnut or almond liqueur for a richer, nutty profile. Go lighter on any added sugar in your dessert course to keep the pairing balanced.
- Lower proof Brandy Alexander. Use a split of brandy and creme de cacao plus extra cream, served in a smaller glass. This keeps all the flavor but reduces the alcohol per serving for long holiday nights.
Serving Suggestions
We love to offer Brandy Alexanders as a signature dessert cocktail for winter weddings, New Year gatherings and intimate holiday dinners. Serve them after the main course alongside simple desserts like butter cookies, flourless chocolate torte or cheesecake so the drink can be the star.
If you are building a full dessert cocktail menu, pair this Brandy Alexander with our chocolate martini, Pink Squirrel and Gingerbread White Russian so guests can choose between brandy, vodka and ice cream based options.
Make Ahead and Batch Tips
- For parties, pre measure brandy and creme de cacao into small bottles or a labeled speed pour so you can build drinks quickly on the fly.
- You can pre chill your glassware and spirits for several hours. Do not pre mix cream with alcohol more than an hour in advance or it can separate.
- If you need to batch, combine brandy and creme de cacao in a pitcher and keep it in the fridge. Shake each drink to order with cream and ice so the texture stays fresh.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving, based on one cocktail made with heavy cream. Values will vary with different brands of spirits and cream.
- Serving size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 260
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Sugar: 16 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated fat: 7 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
More Classic Dessert Cocktails
Planning a holiday or New Year party and need to figure out how many bottles of brandy and liqueurs to buy for a round of Brandy Alexanders and other cocktails? Use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator to estimate quantities by guest count, then visit our bartender booking page if you would like our team to shake dessert cocktails for you on site.
For even more drink inspiration, browse our full cocktail recipes collection and seasonal guides like the Christmas cocktail recipes roundup.
Brandy Alexander FAQs
What alcohol is in a Brandy Alexander?
A Brandy Alexander is built on brandy, often cognac, plus dark creme de cacao and cream. The brandy provides warmth and structure, the creme de cacao adds chocolate flavor and sweetness and the cream ties everything together into a silky dessert cocktail.
What are the ingredients in a classic Brandy Alexander?
The classic ratio is equal parts or near equal parts brandy, dark creme de cacao and cream. Our version uses 1 1/2 ounces brandy, 1 ounce dark creme de cacao and 1 ounce heavy cream, shaken with ice and finished with grated nutmeg.
What is the difference between a Brandy Alexander and a White Russian?
Both are creamy cocktails, but they use different base spirits and liqueurs. A Brandy Alexander uses brandy and chocolate liqueur, while a White Russian uses vodka and coffee liqueur. A White Russian is usually served over ice in a rocks glass, while a Brandy Alexander is typically served up in a coupe as a dessert drink.
Why is it called a Brandy Alexander?
The most common story credits bartender Troy Alexander at a New York restaurant who created the original Alexander cocktail for a dinner celebrating the white dressed advertising character Phoebe Snow. The later Brandy Alexander version swapped the original gin for brandy and the name stuck.
Was a Brandy Alexander really a famous musician’s favorite drink?
Many cocktail histories mention the Brandy Alexander as a favorite of John Lennon during his time in New York. Whether or not it was his number one drink, it fits that era perfectly, since it is a rich, slightly indulgent cocktail that was very popular in mid century lounges and supper clubs.
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