The Brandy Alexander

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The Brandy Alexander

This cocktail is a blast from my past. I haven’t had a brandy alexander in years, and it took a nudge from a recent article in The New York Times to remind me what a warming and decadent winter cocktail it is.

My folks used to mix up a batch of these during freezing cold Pennsylvania winters, especially during the holidays. I remember one Christmas break from college when my boyfriend made a batch of these, substituting vanilla fudge ripple ice cream for the cream. They were deceptively intoxicating and a huge hit.

Any stemmed glass will work here. The NYT article called for a “coupe” glass, the kind champagne used to be served in when I was a kid. I used one of my beloved grandmother’s, vintage 1922.

A brandy alexander is a sweeter cocktail than I normally prefer, but sentiment ruled here in posting this nostalgic cocktail. I suggest celebrating its sweetness by serving it as dessert, along with a plate of simple shortbread cookies. Cheers!

TIP: Invest in a shot glass, if you don’t already have one. I tend to make a big batch of cocktails, usually for dinner parties, but this was just a treat for Larry and me to toast the beginning of our holiday together.

The Brandy Alexander
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Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2 drinks
 
A classic cold weather cocktail, just in time for the holidays.
Ingredients
  • 2 ounces brandy
  • 2 ounces creme de cocoa
  • 2 ounces heavy cream
  • freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
  1. Using a cocktail shake halfway filled with ice, shake the brandy, creme de cocoa and cream.
  2. Strain into 2 martini or other stemmed glasses, top with nutmeg and serve.

 

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15 Responses to The Brandy Alexander

  1. susan @ the wimpy vegetarian December 13, 2014 at 11:20 am #

    I don’t drink a lot of cocktails, but I have to say Brandy Alexander is one of my all-time favorites. I’m so glad you posted this!

    • Liz December 13, 2014 at 11:22 am #

      Hope you and Myles have a relaxing holiday in Tahoe!

  2. Gisele aka LA2LAChef December 13, 2014 at 12:40 pm #

    You could make a big batch and freeze the leftovers in an ice cream maker- just saying….
    Yum!

    • Liz December 13, 2014 at 2:00 pm #

      Great idea – have a beautiful holiday, Gisele – see you in the New Year, I think, with college pals.

  3. Suzanne December 13, 2014 at 1:55 pm #

    WOW, haven’t had one in the longest I’m making one tonight. That is a really welcome blast from the past!!! Thanks Liz.

    • Liz December 13, 2014 at 2:01 pm #

      It will warm you to your toes, Suzanne – cheers!

      • Suzanne December 13, 2014 at 2:48 pm #

        Already made it, love the nutmeg never did that before. Brings back some nice memories. Love that drink.

        • Liz December 13, 2014 at 3:00 pm #

          Glad tou rediscovered it, Suzanne. I think we will share a few more over the holidays, now that I have the “stuff” for them.

  4. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious December 14, 2014 at 3:26 am #

    I haven’t had one of those in…um…40 years! And I had mine in Pennsylvania, too.

    • Liz December 14, 2014 at 8:44 am #

      Ha, Dorothy, maybe you were at our PA party 😉

  5. Lynda December 14, 2014 at 12:06 pm #

    One of the first cocktails I could stand to drink. I’ve gotten over that aversion apparently.

  6. Lisa @ Whisk & Cleaver December 16, 2014 at 2:44 pm #

    I always love your cocktail posts, Liz! We tend to stick to the basics around here, but I also have vintage glasses that were my grandmother’s, maybe it’s time to dust them off and fill them with a champagne cocktail (the featured drink in last Saturday’s Wall Street Journal :).

    • Liz December 16, 2014 at 2:56 pm #

      I love the idea of using vintage family glasses over the holidays – let’s do it!

  7. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com December 18, 2014 at 11:38 am #

    Liz, I’m going to make a note to myself to stir one of these up for dessert! Off topic, but I must tell you how much I love the way you write about your family and family recipes. I am right there in the kitchen with you, your mother, aunts and grandmothers when I read one of your wonderfully evocative posts.

    • Liz December 18, 2014 at 12:15 pm #

      Thank you so much, Jean – you have truly made my day. The women in my family, all gone now, are so on my mind this time of year.

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