Simple 3-Ingredient Brandy Alexander Cocktail Recipe

A winter warming cocktail popular at Christmas celebrations

Although not exclusively a Christmas drink, the warmth from the brandy and smooth, creamy finish certainly bring up connotations of a festive sip, traditionally served in the northern hemisphere over the colder months.

There are many versions of the Brandy Alexander story; most lean towards “Alexander” being a New York bartender, Troy Alexander of Rectors, but drama critic Alexander Woollcott claims it was named after him, whilst others believe it may be named after the Russian tsar Alexander II.

The key ingredient, as the name would suggest, is a brandy (though technically Cognac!) with a hint of cacao and cream. It can be paired with a dessert or drunk alone as a digestif.

Can’t make it now? Save this to Pinterest for later

This recipe is part of our favourite Christmas Cocktails series. You may also like to check out our non-alcoholic drinks collection for perfect Christmas Mocktails.

Tools You Will Need for Making a Brandy Alexander

• Cocktail shaker with strainer
• Jigger
• Ice cube tray
• Grater
• Cocktail glass – coupe or martini style

Find all our favourite tools for your home cocktail bar here

Print

Variations on the Brandy Alexander

Cognac vs Brandy

The name would suggest that brandy is the key ingredient, though, to be technical, the original recipe actually calls for cognac. As discussed in this guide to Cognac, Cognac is a regional variety of brandy; you won’t go too far wrong substituting the cognac with your favourite drop of brandy instead.

Does It Matter Which Type of Cognac?

It can be awfully confusing the first time you find yourself standing in a liquor store looking at that vast array of spirits, thinking What on earth should I pick! Simply put, that labelling on cognac bottles helps the buyer determine the minimum age of the “eau de vies” used to make the cognac.

For mixing in recipes like this, A “V.S.” or “V.S.O.P.” should be fine, you only want a “Napoléon” or”X.O.” if you’re drinking your Cognac neat – you’ll soon work it out from the price labels!

Dark or Light Crème de Cacao?

I prefer the percolated dark or brown crème de cacao with a slight hint of vanilla (and some say tastes more like dark chocolate), but there is no problem using a light or white crème de cacao that’s been distilled, almost clear in appearance, and tastes more like milk chocolate; neither is overly sweet like a chocolate liqueur.

You could even split the 1 part (1 oz per serve) between light and dark. I recommend a good quality brand, such as Bols or DeKuyper, and experiment!

Can Kahlúa Replace Dark Crème de Cacao?

Although the two liqueurs may have a similar appearance, they are not a direct substitution in this instance. A dark crème de cacao, made from cacao beans, gives a chocolate flavor. Kahlua is a coffee-flavored liqueur. For a true Brandy Alexander, you shouldn’t substitute; however, if you enjoy your coffee-flavored digestif, we see no reason why you can’t get creative with a Coffee Alexander.

Other Chocolate Liqueur Substitutes

Other specialty chocolate liqueurs could also substitute for the Crème de Cacao, but you really need to be careful with your sugar balance and the creaminess. Despite the name “Crème”, it is not actually a milk-based ingredient.

What Type of Cream?

We’ll leave this one to your personal taste, but a single cream – also called light cream or non-whipping cream (butterfat content 20%) is what we’ve used and found works best. If you really want a creamy, more dessert-like finish, then you could try double cream, or even finishing the drink with a creamy top layer before adding the nutmeg.

On the Rocks or Straight Up?

I prefer it served straight up as a winter warmer, but those in hotter climates may prefer to try it on the rocks, served in an old-fashioned glass rather than a cocktail glass.

An Alexander?

Those into their cocktail trivia may know that the ” Alexander” is believed to pre-date the Brandy Alexander and is actually a gin-based drink, whilst those who follow the path of Alexander the Great will say it’s a vodka-based drink – the test of time brandy appears to have come out as the winning combination!

Have some fun, experiment, and make it your own fun Christmas drop. Let me know in the comments how you get on!

More Christmas Drinks Ideas

As well as checking out our complete guide to Christmas cocktails, you may also be interested in our Christmas gift guides for drink-lovers. I cover everything from stylish glassware for your drinks cabinet through to our favourite gifts for coffee-lovers.

If you’re still seeking out that perfect gift idea or stocking stuffer, pop on over for some inspiration here >>

Little Party Pixie advocates quality over quantity. Always drink responsibly!

© Little Party Pixie 2025