Winter Fun with the Brandy Alexander

Making cocktails at home can be intimidating. Whether it’s the daunting task of stocking the bar or the necessary upkeep of replenishing the perishable items (citrus, ice, etc), most prefer to stick with their local bars when they’re looking for a cocktail. 

2020, however, made bar hopping a near-impossible task as the year went on, and many were left to make cocktails at home instead. The good news is that I have discovered that the majority of the “classics” - Martinis, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds - are all quite easy to make. 

If you’re looking for a simple cocktail that’s classic, tasty AND simple to make, then look no further than the Brandy Alexander. Brandy is made from distilled grapes, usually distilled wine, and aged in a barrel. Visually, it looks no different than whiskey or aged tequila, but there’s a smooth drinkability to brandy that many people overlook on their trips to the liquor store. 

A Brandy Alexander can be thought of as an adult chocolate milk, so even if you’re unexperienced with cocktails, this is an easy one to make and drink. And it’s a perfect winter drink, as well. Here’s how you make it:

Brandy Alexander

• In a cocktail shaker, add:

• 1 oz of brandy

• 1 oz dark creme de cacao (chocolate liqueur)

• 1 oz half-and-half

• shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass

• garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top

See how simple that is? 1 ounce of each ingredient, then shake! Now that you have the recipe down, here’s a secret: the Alexander is actually a family of cocktails, and any base liquor can be used in the place of brandy! How about a Vodka Alexander or a Whiskey Alexander? While you’re passing time on your winter break, experiment with what you have in your home bar, and see which variation of the recipe you like most. 

Happy Holidays from Egg to Apples!