This is one of the great retro brandy cocktails of all-time, and the recipe couldn’t be easier: brandy, dark crème de cacao and cream. As for its origins? Well, those aren’t quite as simple as the recipe.
It’s possible that the Brandy Alexander was named for any one of history’s famous Alexanders, like Russian tsar Alexander II. However, it’s more likely to have been named for Troy Alexander, who worked as a bartender at a well-known New York City restaurant and made the original Alexander using gin.
Story has it that Troy was given the job of creating an all-white drink to celebrate Phoebe Snow, a fictional character used to market a new railroad that didn’t leave passengers covered in soot. Snow was always dressed in white, so it was fitting that guests at the celebratory dinner enjoyed an all-white drink: the Alexander. Swap the gin for Cognac, or any brandy, and you’ve got a Brandy Alexander.
Since its creation, the Brandy Alexander has suffered from a reputation as a ‘girly’ drink – whatever that means – and a bit of a gimmick. Don’t be fooled though – this is a bona fide choice characterised by creamy, nutty flavours and was actually John Lennon’s favourite cocktail.
