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.
- 2 ounces brandy
- 2 ounces creme de cocoa
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- freshly grated nutmeg
- Using a cocktail shake halfway filled with ice, shake the brandy, creme de cocoa and cream.
- Strain into 2 martini or other stemmed glasses, top with nutmeg and serve.
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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!
Hope you and Myles have a relaxing holiday in Tahoe!
You could make a big batch and freeze the leftovers in an ice cream maker- just saying….
Yum!
Great idea – have a beautiful holiday, Gisele – see you in the New Year, I think, with college pals.
WOW, haven’t had one in the longest I’m making one tonight. That is a really welcome blast from the past!!! Thanks Liz.
It will warm you to your toes, Suzanne – cheers!
Already made it, love the nutmeg never did that before. Brings back some nice memories. Love that drink.
Glad tou rediscovered it, Suzanne. I think we will share a few more over the holidays, now that I have the “stuff” for them.
I haven’t had one of those in…um…40 years! And I had mine in Pennsylvania, too.
Ha, Dorothy, maybe you were at our PA party 😉
One of the first cocktails I could stand to drink. I’ve gotten over that aversion apparently.
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 :).
I love the idea of using vintage family glasses over the holidays – let’s do it!
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.
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.