Tag Archives: Brandy Alexander

Alexander and Big Brother

Posted on January 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

Quality of liquor during the days of Prohibition wasn’t quite on par with what it is today. The use of heavy cream and sweetening agents played a huge part in helping mask the undesirable flavor found in inferior spirits. Quality of liquor has certainly changed in modern times, but many still prefer sweetened cocktails to disguise the taste of the liquor they consume. Some things never change. The original Alexander calls for gin by design, but this classic cocktail has been recreated numerous times with different spirits. Some books refer to the gin version as an Alexandra with variations in measurements.

January 31 is Brandy Alexander Day.

Alexander

1-1/2 measure Gin

1 measure White Crème de Cacao

1 measure Heavy Cream

Grated Nutmeg Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg if desired. Notation: Another variation is Alexander’s Sister which exchanges Green Crème de Menthe for the Crème de Cacao.

Alexander’s Big Brother reaches a bit farther off the classic path.

Alexander’s Big Brother

2 measures Gin

1/2 measure Blue Curacao

1/2 measure Heavy Cream

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

More variations include the Brandy Alexander, which is said to have been among John Lennon’s favorite cocktails and inspired the non-alcoholic Lennon’s Milkshake. The Cherry Vanilla Alexander and Alexander Frappe bring fruit and ice cream to the classic for more varied flavor. January 31 is Brandy Alexander Day. Cheers!

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails, Daily Holidays

Tagged Alexander, Alexander's Big Brother, Blue Curacao, Brandy Alexander, Brandy Alexander Day, Classic Cocktail, Creme de Cacao, Creme de Menthe, Gin, Heavy Cream, Nutmeg

Variations of the Classic Alexander

Posted on January 31, 2011 | 1 Comment

Though the classic Alexander originally contained gin as the primary base spirit, it is most commonly mixed with Brandy in today’s cocktail culture and ordered as a Brandy Alexander. As was the case with many classic cocktails, the Alexander was born out of necessity so to speak. Prohibition made way for back alley haphazard poor quality style gin which left a rather bad taste in many people’s mouths. The bad taste didn’t stop the masses from drinking, but it did set the wheels in motion for more creative mixing.

This little cocktail is so popular it has its own holiday. January 31 is Brandy Alexander Day.

Alexander

1 ounce Gin

1 ounce Crème de Cacao

1 ounce Heavy Cream

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Notation: Some books reference the gin version of this drink as an Alexandra while others call it an Alexander, each with varying measurements.

Cherry Vanilla Alexander – adapted by Cheri Loughlin from the classic Brandy Alexander

3/4 ounce Brandy or Cognac

1/2 ounce Vanilla Liqueur

1/2 ounce White Crème de Cacao

1/4 ounce Heering Cherry Liqueur

1 ounce Heavy Cream

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and frothy. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry. Notation: Half & Half may be substituted for the heavy cream. Additional variations to the classic Brandy Alexander can be made by decreasing the Crème de Cacao and supplementing a favorite flavor such as amaretto, hazelnut, raspberry… the possibilities are endless. Experiment with something new!

Alexander Frappe

1 ounce Brandy, Cognac or Gin

1 ounce Crème de Cacao

1 ounce Heavy Cream

Large Scoop Vanilla Ice Cream

Grated Nutmeg Garnish

Place liquids and ice cream in blender. Blend to smooth consistency. Pour into large chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

The spirited cocktail calendar mentions January 31 as National Brandy Alexander Day. The Brandy Alexander is said to have been one of John Lennon’s favorite cocktails. More variations include a Coffee Alexander which exchanges coffee liqueur for the base spirit and the non-alcoholic Lennon’s Milkshake. Find more interesting daily cocktail holidays by following the link.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com – Copyright 2011 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved – All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

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Posted in Classic Cocktails, Daily Holidays

Tagged Brandy, Brandy Alexander, Brandy Alexander Day, Cherry Heering Liqueur, Classic Cocktail, Cognac, Creme de Cacao, Gin, Heavy Cream, Ice Cream, John Lennon, Vanilla Liqueur

Classic Dessert Cocktail: Brandy Alexander

Posted on December 8, 2010 | 2 Comments

Grated nutmeg is a must for this classic cocktail as it sets the tone for the bliss ahead. While the Brandy Alexander leans on the sweet side, this makes a fabulous after dinner dessert cocktail for indulgence of the sinfully delicious sort. It is said that at one time the Brandy Alexander was John Lennon’s preferred liquid indulgence. Whether this is true or not could be left to speculation, but it did inspire the non-alcoholic Lennon’s Milkshake for the very reason John is said to have called the Brandy Alexander his ‘milkshake’. If one were to blend the Brandy Alexander with ice cream and top it off with whipped cream this certainly would be the perfect ‘milkshake’.

January 31 is Brandy Alexander Day

Brandy Alexander

1 part Brandy

1 part Dark Crème de Cacao

1 part Heavy Cream

Grated Nutmeg Garnish

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to blend and chill. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Though the recipe calls for dark crème de cacao, if you only have light crème de cacao use it. The significant difference between the two liqueurs is color rather than flavor. Better to enjoy the drink using spirits on hand rather than skipping the experience all together.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon
or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com. Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The
Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’
coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri
Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Brandy, Brandy Alexander, Brandy Alexander Day, Classic Cocktail, Creme de Cacao, Heavy Cream, John Lennon

Mixing with John: Lennon’s Milkshake

Posted on August 11, 2009 | Leave a comment

According to pop culture history the classic Brandy Alexander cocktail was a favorite drink of John Lennon who referred to it as a ‘milkshake’ on occasion. This really tastes more like delectable chocolate milk with hint of amaretto flavor and aroma of grated nutmeg than the classic Brandy Alexander, but it’s a Mocktail. No brandy added here. The martini glass is what really spruces this drink recipe up to the adult playing field level.

Lennon’s Milkshake – created by Cheri Loughlin

Inspired by the classic Brandy Alexander drink recipe, celebrated with its own holiday ~ January 31 is Brandy Alexander Day

3 ounces Half & Half

1 Tablespoon Hershey’s Special Dark Syrup

1/4 ounce Amaretto Syrup

Nutmeg Sprinkles Garnish

Place half & half and chocolate syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

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Posted in Mocktails

Tagged Amaretto Syrup, Brandy Alexander, Brandy Alexander Day, Chocolate Syrup, Half & Half, John Lennon, Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Tag Archives: Brandy Alexander

Alexander and Big Brother

Variations of the Classic Alexander

Classic Dessert Cocktail: Brandy Alexander

Mixing with John: Lennon’s Milkshake

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Tag Archives: Brandy Alexander

Alexander and Big Brother

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Variations of the Classic Alexander

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Classic Dessert Cocktail: Brandy Alexander

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Mixing with John: Lennon’s Milkshake

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