A decadent combination of creme de cacao, cognac, and heavy cream creates this rich and creamy Brandy Alexander cocktail.

Why this recipe works

The brandy alexander is the type of dessert cocktail that goes down incredibly smooth. It starts with creme de cacao, a chocolate liquor, that’s shaken with cognac and heavy cream then strained into martini glasses and topped with freshly grated nutmeg.

It’s slightly thick in consistency and certainly gives off plenty of chocolate, creamy flavor. This drink is 2 parts liquor and 1 part cream. It’s slightly heavier on the liquor compared to our chocolate peppermint martini but it’s not overpowering, in fact, it’s quite sweet and decadent – part of the reason it goes down so smooth!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

LIQUOR – You can use either creme de cacao white or creme de cacao dark. White will taste a bit more vanilla-y, whereas dark leans heavier on the chocolate taste. Choose your favorite cognac (brandy) for this cocktail.

CREAM – Half and half would work in place of heavy cream. Milk is a bit too thin to make this drink creamy and rich, but if that’s all you have on hand I would suggest opting for whole milk.

How to Make a Brandy Alexander

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Add the creme de cacao, cognac, and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.
Strain into a glass and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I grate nutmeg?

To grate nutmeg, use a microplane grater or the finest side of a regular box grater. Gently grate the nutmeg over the top of the drink, or into a small bowl if you plan on serving multiple drinks. Freshly grated nutmeg is stronger than bottled ground nutmeg, so don’t go overboard!

Serving Suggestions

The Brandy Alexander is perfectly paired with appetizers or can be enjoyed as an after-dinner dessert cocktail. Try a bit of ground cinnamon on top to spice it up around the holidays.

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