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Home » Drinks

Mint Gin Alexander

July 29, 2020 by Jane Saunders 4 Comments

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Gin Alexander Cocktail - pinterest image
Mint Gin Alexander Cocktail - pinterest image
Mint Gin Alexander Cocktail - image for pinterest
Mint Gin Alexander Cocktail - image for pinterest

This mint gin Alexander takes the vintage charm of the classic cocktail and adds a subtle hint of menthe to proceedings. Colour is optional, depending on the type of creme de menthe used.

Grated nutmeg being dusted onto a gin Alexander cocktail

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If creamy cocktails are you jam then you might well enjoy my recipes today. I have both the classic gin Alexander and my own take on it – a mint gin Alexander – for you to savour.

The gin Alexander has an old school charm about it. Deliciously white, with just a scattering of nutmeg on the top, its charm is brazen.

My mint gin Alexander is somewhat lighter on the cream than the original and can be made with either green or white creme de menthe, depending whether or not you are looking to add a splash of colour to your libation.

Cocoa powder being dusted onto a mint gin alexander cocktail

Expect a subtle buzz of mint if you take my recipe exactly as specified. Of course, the base recipe is for playing with and you can up the level of cream or mint to suit your own preferences.

What is a Gin Alexander

The gin Alexander was the original Alexander drink. It also goes by the name the Alexander No. 1 or the Princess Mary.

When and where it was first created is open to debate, but it’s definitely been knocking about for around 100 years.

A gin alexander cocktail in a vintage glass and dusted with nutmeg.

It comprises gin, cream and creme de cacao. One theory goes that the latter 2 ingredients were added to help mask the somewhat rough taste of bathtub gin during the Prohibition Era.

Thankfully, modern day gin is a much smoother affair and of course, this naturally makes the Alexander No. 1 a refined and rather scrumptious affair.

What you Will Need

The classic gin Alexander cocktail comprises equal parts:

  • gin – dry, unsweetened
  • white creme de cacao
  • cream (single/ half-and-half)

A generous sprinkling of ground nutmeg is mandatory on top of this classic cocktail.

Some recipes include egg white, shaken well, to further enhance the mouthfeel and provide a wonderful cocktail-top to suspend garnishes on. Adding the egg white will not change the flavour. If you are curious about giving it a go, I can heartily recommend egg white for the amplification to texture.

My mint gin Alexander includes the base three ingredients plus creme de menthe.

Small bottle of green creme de menthe liqueur on a wooden table

I’ve incorporated just a small amount of this liqueur though. Mint is a flavour I’ve always gotten along well with, but I’ve learned that delicacy is always wise where this flavour concerned. This is especially true when mixing drinks.

In this mint version, I’ve chosen to reduce the cream and liqueur content slightly. I’ve also replaced ¼ of the creme de cacao with creme de menthe to complete my subtle but utterly delicious alteration.

How to Make this Mint Cocktail

Whether or not you are making the classic or the mint version of this cocktail, the instructions are the same:

  • Ice – put a generous handful into the base of a cocktail shaker
  • Pour – add the alcohols and cream (and egg if using)
  • Shake – attach the lid of the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds to blend, chill and dilute the ingredients
  • Strain – decant the cocktail into a suitable glass, straining as you do so to avoid ice shards falling into the drink
  • Garnish and serve
  • Ingredients for a cocktail in a glass filled with ice
  • Adding cream to ingredients for a cocktail in a shaker filled with ice
  • a creamy gin cocktail in a shaker after being shaken with ice
  • Creme de menthe (green) being poured into a cocktail shaker. There are fresh mint leaves on the wooden table alongside the cocktail shaker
  • Pouring a pastel green creamy mint cocktail into vintage glasses from a cocktail shaker

What Can I use to Garnish my Drink?

Without a doubt, the classic Alexander pairs wonderfully with a little grated nutmeg. Give it a go and you’ll see why the cocktail masters of yesteryear made this partnership.

For the minty riff there are several options:

  • Fresh mint
  • Finely grated chocolate
Pastel green creamy cocktails in 2 vintage glasses with mint leaves

Of course, you can use both.

Whilst taking the photos for this recipe I used cocoa powder. It looked impressive to begin with but the powder quickly shift sideways in the glass, so I’m not wholly on board with it as a suitable garnish.

Can I Use White Creme de Menthe?

White creme de menthe works just as well flavourwise for this mint gin Alexander.

Do keep in mind though that the colour will be the same as the classic version since there is nothing to give it the green hue associated with mint. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Generally the green and white variations of creme de menthe can be used interchangeably, since there is no noticeable difference in flavour.

A creamy gin alexander flavoured with green creme de menthe. Served in a vintage cocktail glass

Can I use Brown Creme de Cacoa?

It would be fine to use brown creme de cacoa for the classic version, assuming you don’t mind a light brown colour to the drink.

However, if using green creme de menthe, I would not recommend brown creme de cacao, since the mix of green and brown liqueurs will likely lend the cocktail a muddy appearance.

If you are happy to forego all colour, opt for white variations of both liqueurs.

More Alexander Cocktail Variations

Bartenders are never happier than when tinkering with flavours. Though admittedly, one such meddling led to the creation of the brandy Alexander which knocked the original gin drink off its pedestal.

Regardless, I’m a tinkerer myself, so I’m pleased to share the following Alexander cocktail creations with you:

  • Coffee Brandy Alexander
  • Bourbon and Coconut Alexander
  • Dutch Alexander – with Green Chartreuse & Orange liqueur (I wish this were my creation)
  • Gingerbread Alexander
Mint Gin Alexander Cocktail - featured image

Mint Gin Alexander Cocktail (and the classic gin version)

Jane Saunders
This mint gin Alexander takes the vintage charm of the classic cocktail and adds a subtle hint of menthe to proceedings. Colour is optional, depending on the type of creme de menthe used.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Alcoholic Drink
Cuisine: American, British, Worldwide
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 269kcal
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Ingredients

For the Classic Gin Alexander

  • 60 ml (6 parts) Dry gin
  • 60 ml (6 parts) Single cream (half-and-half)
  • 60 ml (6 parts) White Creme de Cocoa
  • 1 Egg white (optional)
  • Grated nutmeg

For the Mint Gin Alexander

  • 60 ml (6 parts) Dry gin
  • 40 ml (4 parts) Single cream (half-and-half)
  • 30 ml (3 parts) White Creme de Cocoa
  • 10 ml (1 part) Green or White Creme de Menthe
  • 1 Egg white (optional)
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Grated chocolate

Instructions

For Either Cocktail

  • Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice
  • Pour in all alcohol and the cream (plus the egg if using)
  • Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to chill, mix and dilute the ingredients
  • Strain and pour into servng glasses

How to Garnish Each Drink

  • For the Classic gin Alexander: garnish with grated nutmeg
  • For the mint gin Alexander: garnish with fresh mint leaves and/ or grated chocolate
  • Serve immediately

Notes

Please note: for part measures, I am taking 1 part to mean 10ml or 2 tsp, so for 6 parts, this would equate to 60ml or 12 tsp.
For a more pronounced minty taste: increase the amount of creme de menthe slightly and reduce the amount of creme de cocoa by the same amount to keep the sweetness level approximately the same.
Nutritional information: calculated approximately, on the basis of the creamier classic gin Alexander

Nutrition Per Serving (Approximate)

Calories:269kcal | Carbohydrates:17g | Protein:2g | Fat:9g | Saturated Fat:6g | Cholesterol:33mg | Sodium:35mg | Potassium:54mg | Sugar:9g | Vitamin A:304IU | Calcium:21mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    August 03, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for my husband this past weekend and he loved it! I can’t wait to make this again! It was so delicious!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      August 03, 2020 at 8:20 pm

      That’s great to hear – thanks!

      Reply
  2. Meagen

    August 01, 2020 at 2:17 pm

    5 stars
    This was a big hit in our house! Will definitely be making more of these, very unique and tasty. Perfect for when we’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      August 03, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      The mint seems to bring this creamy drink into summer territory I think, so I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

      Reply

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