BatchPour
shake · Coupe Easy ~3 min IBA official

Brandy Alexander

A silky after-dinner cocktail of cognac, dark crème de cacao and cream; equal-part simplicity makes it easy to scale, though the cream demands fresh shaking rather than long pre-batching.

Set servings & plan this recipe →
CreamySweet
Ingredients 3
ABV before dilution 21.3%
Batch reference 12 serves

Ingredients

Cognac 1 oz
Crème de cacao (dark) 1 oz
Heavy cream 1 oz
Total volume 3.00 oz

Garnish: Grated nutmeg

Change servings to scale the recipe, or switch measurement units.

Opens these ingredients and your selected servings. Review added water, package sizes and ingredients to add at service, then download the sheets.

Base spiritBrandy & Cognac
Strength · Medium 21.3% ABV before dilution
Standard drinks1.07
GlasswareCoupe

How to make it

Shaken · Easy · about 3 minutes

  1. 1

    Add the cognac, crème de cacao and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

  2. 2

    Shake hard for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker frosts over.

  3. 3

    Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.

  4. 4

    Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Tools you'll need

Coupe glass JiggerCocktail shakerHawthorne strainer

Making a batch for a party?

This example makes 12 servings with added water at 27% of the full recipe volume before dilution. This is a planning assumption; water from ice at service is not predicted. Edit this recipe and create a purchase sheet →

Total batch45.7 oz
+ Dilution water9.7 oz
Estimated finished ABV16.8%
Ingredient × 12 mL
Cognac 12.0 oz 355
Crème de cacao (dark) 12.0 oz 355
Heavy cream 12.0 oz 355

BatchPour tools produce estimates for planning purposes only. Actual dilution, ABV, and ingredient yields vary by technique, ice temperature, and produce. Always taste and adjust. Drink responsibly.

Brandy Alexander FAQ

What's in a Brandy Alexander?

A classic Brandy Alexander is made with cognac, crème de cacao (dark), heavy cream. It's shaken and served in a coupe glass.

What is the ABV of a Brandy Alexander?

The listed ingredients calculate to approximately 21.3% ABV before added water or ice melt, with approximately 1.07 US standard drinks per serving. Water lowers the concentration but does not change the alcohol quantity.

Should I shake or stir a Brandy Alexander?

Shake it. Citrus and other non-spirit ingredients need the aeration and hard chill that shaking gives.

How do I batch Brandy Alexanders for a party?

Scale each ingredient by your number of servings. Open this recipe in the batch planner to choose added water, package sizes and ingredients to hold for service. Preset water percentages are planning assumptions applied to all recipe liquid before dilution, not predictions of ice melt.