Whereas John Lennon’s favourite cocktail could have been the Brandy Alexander, probably the most generally identified Alexander was initially made with equal components gin, white crème de cacao, and candy cream; shaken with ice, and strained. At the moment, both Alexander selection is appropriate, whether or not it’s made with brandy or gin, and is mostly loved as a dessert cocktail.
Historical past
There are a number of theories on the origins and naming of the Alexander. Historian Barry Popiklinks the cocktail to a Philadelphia Inquirer article concerning the 1915 World Collection between Boston and Philadelphia. The article suggests {that a} bartender created the cocktail to honor Philadelphia pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander–although Boston finally beat Philadelphia for the World Collection title.
One other little bit of lore means that the Alexander was created by Troy Alexander, a pre-Prohibition bartender from the lobster restaurant Rector’s in New York Metropolis. He named the cocktail in honor of Phoebe Snow, a fictitious character in an promoting marketing campaign for the DL&W railway’s change to scrub burning anthracite to gasoline its locomotives. Phoebe wore a white gown to distinction to how vacationers emerged soot coated from coal burning trains.
The Alexander
Elements:
- 1 ½ fluid ounces of gin or brandy
- ¾ oz white creme de cacao for gin, darkish creme de cacao for brandy
- ¾ oz Half and Half
- ⅓ oz egg white
Combine the above elements and add ice. Vigorously shake all elements collectively. Pressure right into a container with out the ice and shake once more. Pressure into glass. Mud with grated nutmeg. Serve straight up, chilled, with out ice.
Ideas
Shaking is essential and don’t omit the egg white – it provides it the frothiness. Even if you’re making a number of drinks, keep on with just one egg white.
Variations
- With out an egg, the cocktail turns into a Princess Mary.
- The Brandy Alexander makes use of Cognac, a French brandy from–you guessed it–Cognac, as a substitute of gin.The Espresso Alexander makes use of a espresso liqueur comparable to Kahlua instead of crème de cacao.
- The Blue Alexander replaces the creme de cacao with Blue Curaçao.
