Alexander

A classic cream cocktail of gin, crème de cacao, and cream, dusted with nutmeg.

Base spirit

Gin

Style

Dessert

Glassware

Coupe

Technique

Shake

The Alexander is the gin original behind the better-known Brandy Alexander: equal parts gin, dark crème de cacao, and cream, shaken cold and finished with nutmeg. Chocolate and dairy soften the botanical gin without turning the drink into dessert syrup. Served up, it is a foundational cream classic.

Alexander in a coupe, opaque pale cocoa cream, light nutmeg dust.

Ingredients

Servings

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz dark crème de cacao
• 1 oz cream

Did you know?

“The Alexander predates the Brandy Alexander; early-20th-century recipes used gin before brandy became the default base.”

Source:Early American cocktail manuals; IBA Unforgettables lineage

Bartender's Note

Dark crème de cacao reads richer than white. Shake hard for a thick foam. Fresh nutmeg is essential.

Missing a bottle? See smart swaps in Learn.

How to make the Alexander

1Shake gin, crème de cacao, and cream hard with ice
2 into a chilled coupe
3Dust with freshly grated nutmeg

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