What does a Brandy Alexander taste like?
A Brandy Alexander tastes like a boozy chocolate cream dessert: cognac, chocolate liqueur and cream shaken smooth and dusted with nutmeg, rich, sweet and warming.
Brandy Alexander
chocolate, cream and cognac
A Brandy Alexander is brandy or cognac, dark crème de cacao (a chocolate liqueur) and cream, shaken hard and served up with grated nutmeg on top. It tastes like a chocolate milkshake that grew up: silky and creamy, with cocoa sweetness, then the brandy's warmth, dried fruit and a little vanilla. The nutmeg gives it a cozy, eggnog-like smell. It's rich and a little stronger than most creamy drinks, so it works best as dessert. Around the holidays it can taste like Christmas in a glass.
Where you’ll see it
On dessert drink menus, supper clubs and holiday cocktail lists, served up in a coupe with fresh nutmeg on top. Some places blend it with vanilla ice cream into a shake.
Order it if you want a creamy, chocolatey drink that still tastes like a proper cocktail.
Quick questions
- Is a Brandy Alexander sweet?
- Yes, but not as sweet as a mudslide. The brandy adds warmth and depth that keeps it from tasting like pure candy.
- What is the difference between a Brandy Alexander and an Alexander?
- The original Alexander used gin. Brandy took over and became the version you will see on most menus.