This after dinner cocktail is a remake of a classic simple brandy cocktail. A hint of coffee and a waft of chocolate accentuate the silky cream and mellow brandy in this coffee Alexander. It’s a luscious yet serious creamy libation to savour.
If you’re feeling extravagant, try serving it with a slice of chocolate salami alongside.
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Combining the flavours of brandy and coffee is not a new pairing. It’s a popular choice, especially in hot coffee drinks. But today, I’ve taken it in a cool and creamy direction to make a knockout after dinner cocktail that could easily take the place of dessert.
I do have a soft spot for the occasional creamy after dinner cocktail in the cooler months and this coffee Alexander is my idea of Friday night heaven.
Like the look of this simple brandy cocktail? Then you’ll probably enjoy my Baileys espresso martini and my coffee crème Drambuie cocktail too.
Why you’ll love my twist on the classic
Appearance: It’s easy to dress this after dinner cocktail up, especially if you are serving it in place of dessert. Try threading fancy chocolates onto a cocktail pick, adding a chocolate wafer or even topping it with a cloud of whipped cream.
Taste: Expect the warming notes of brandy to shine alongside sweet nuances of coffee and chocolate. It’s creamy, but not ridiculously so, making this drink a lovely example of a brandy and coffee cocktail.
Unique: Think you know the classic version? Well, perhaps you do but it’s time to shake things up a bit. Coffee is the perfect way to do so.
What is an Alexander cocktail?
There are two types of classic Alexander cocktails:
- The Alexander – made with gin.
- The Alexander #2 – made with brandy or Cognac.
The gin) Alexander was the original, first blended around 1915. The recipe comprised equal parts gin, white creme de cocoa and cream. Egg white, though not compulsory, is often added. A light dusting of grated nutmeg, to round off this libation with a sweetly spiced aroma, is more or less considered mandatory.
As the years rolled by, bartenders got experimental with other spirits and it wasn’t long before the (brandy) Alexander (#2) knocked the original drink off its pedestal. This riff appears to have emerged around 1937 and was originally called the Alexander #2 before the more self-explanatory term Brandy Alexander was coined.
This simple brandy cocktail enjoyed a revival in popularity in the 1970s and remains highly regarded today. It’s a true classic and a lovely winter brandy cocktail to enjoy.
Ingredients notes
The classic brandy Alexander cocktail contains:
- Cognac or brandy – the best your budget allows.
- Brown crème de cacoa
- Cream (I use unsweetened single cream with 18% fat content)
My coffee Alexander after dinner cocktail contains all three of these ingredients plus an additional ingredient:
In fact, I substitute ¾ of the crème de cocoa for the coffee liqueur. This simple swap means that the sweetness and creaminess of the cocktail are both unaffected. There’s still a hint of chocolate in the mix, but the flavour of coffee with brandy definitely comes through brightly.
Step by step instructions
This after dinner cocktail is very quick & easy to make:
- Step 1: Add a large handful of ice to a cocktail shaker and pour in the brandy, coffee liqueur and creme de cacao.
- Step 2: Now add the cream, secure the lid on theshaker and shake vigorously for 30-40 seconds to ensure the ingredients are well chilled and suitably diluted.
- Step 3: Double strain the drink into a cocktail glass and garnish with a grating of nutmeg. Add optional embellishments if desired.
Expert tips
- Chill your serving glass in the freezer for around 15 minutes before pouring your drink. This way your brandy and coffee cocktail will stay deliciously cold as you drink it.
- Use plenty of ice in the cocktail shaker in order to chill and dilute your drink sufficiently.
- You can also use double cream (heavy cream) for a more indulgent version of this drink.
- Strain the drink through a fine-meshed sieve to stop small pieces of ice making their way into you glass.
Frequently asked questions
Brandy refers to a distilled spirit made from fermented fruit juice. It can be produced using grapes or other fruit. (think of the apple brandy Calvados for example). It can also come from anywhere in the world.
Cognac, however, is a brandy that must be made from white grapes and it must come from the Cognac region in Southwest France where the natural growing conditions, or terrior, are known for their superiority. Cognac must be aged for at least 2 years in French oak.
In a nutshell, Cognac is brandy but not all brandy is Cognac.
Yes, you can. The flavour profile suits most dark spirits. Simply replace the brandy with an equal measure of bourbon or dark rum.
This is not an ideal substitution. Single cream has a fat content of around 18% in the UK. Half and half is an American product combining cream and milk with a fat content of only 12%. The equivalent to single cream in the US is light cream, which also has a fat content of around 18%.
More after dinner cocktails
Find plenty more creamy after dinner cocktails in my collection of inventive and delicious drink recipes. Here are a few delights:
Have you made this after dinner cocktail? Please let me know if you enjoyed it by leaving a review. Don’t forget to mention how you decided to garnish it.
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📖 Recipe
After Dinner Cocktail – Coffee Alexander
Ingredients
- 30 ml Brandy
- 15 ml Coffee Liqueur
- 5 ml Crème de Cacao Dark
- 20 ml Cream Single (18% fat)
Garnish
- Ground Nutmeg
- Chocolate stick/ wafer if desired
Instructions
For Both Cocktail Variations
- Put a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker.
- Add all liquid ingredients, push on the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to mix the ingredients together and ensure the drink is well chilled and sufficiently diluted.
- Strain into a cocktail glass, sprinkle with a little grated nutmeg and add any chocolate embellishments as desired.
- Serve immediately.
Jane Coupland
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. I’ve just revisited to take some step by step images and I’d forgotten how lovely it is.
Betty Davies
My Dad loves brandy so decided to make this for him on his birthday. It was a real treat and he loved it so much! Thank you!
Jane Saunders
Lucky Dad! Thanks for the thumbs up 🙂