Brandy Alexander
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
The Brandy Alexander is a classic, creamy dessert cocktail that blends brandy, crème de cacao, and cream into a velvety, chocolate-vanilla sipper. It tastes like a boozy, liquid tiramisu, with a rich, smooth texture and a dusting of nutmeg on top. Nutritionally, it's an indulgence, packing nearly 16 grams of sugar per 100ml, making it more akin to a liquid dessert than a light drink.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 66% carbs · 30% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its luxurious, dessert-like indulgence that feels both nostalgic and sophisticated. Its versatility allows for variations with different creams or liqueurs, making it a favorite for home mixologists and classic cocktail enthusiasts alike.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sugar and calorie content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and is not suitable for low-sugar or calorie-controlled diets. To counteract this, enjoy it as a rare treat, pair it with a protein-rich snack to slow sugar absorption, or opt for a smaller portion. Those with dairy or alcohol sensitivities should avoid it.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Contains small amounts of calcium from the cream
- The alcohol can have a mild relaxing effect in moderation
- A classic choice for a celebratory or after-dinner treat
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The drink is said to have been created for the wedding of Prince George (later King George V) of the United Kingdom in 1892, though its popularization is firmly rooted in American Prohibition-era bars.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 57.8 g |
| Energy | 238 kcal |
| Protein | 1.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 18.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 15.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 35.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.05 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 4.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 34.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 55.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 23.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.15 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.30 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.07 mg |
| Niacin | 0.09 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 6.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.06 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 31.0 ug |
| Retinol | 31.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 7.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.08 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.40 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 18.2 g |
| Caffeine | 10.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.37 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.40 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.08 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.95 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.22 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.19 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 11.0 mg |
FAQ
What does a Brandy Alexander taste like?
It tastes like a rich, creamy chocolate milkshake with a warm, boozy kick from the brandy and a hint of vanilla from the crème de cacao.
Is a Brandy Alexander a strong drink?
While it contains brandy, the heavy cream and sweet liqueurs mask the alcohol, making it deceptively smooth and easy to drink, but it has a moderate alcohol content.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Yes, you can create a 'Virgin Alexander' by substituting the brandy with cold brew coffee or a non-alcoholic spirit, and the crème de cacao with chocolate syrup or a non-alcoholic chocolate liqueur.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.38 kcal/g · 2% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 15.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.42 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.