Sendecki’s Blog

“Completely and totally, permanently and without hope, forever and ever I love Brandy Alexander…”
—from Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk

Alright, a confluenece of serendipitous events have caused me to name the Brandy Alexander as the Sendecki cocktail of the month.

The Brandy Alexander was a favourite of John Lennon—especially during a very tumultuous time in his life. Separated from Yoko, in October 1973 John took off to Los Angeles to embark on what Lennon termed his ‘Lost Weekend’—eighteen months of wild partying in the company of Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann and Harry Nilsson. Ringo Starr and Harry Nilsson shared his lvoe of this particular cocktail.

This was a time in his life during which John became something other than a former Beatle or a musical artist “in his own write.” He was now relegated to being, after one particularly raucous night, “some asshole with a Kotex on his head.”

So, what prompted this little foray into the history of the Brandy Alexander? A new song by Leslie Feist named after the cocktail. Feist is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She performs as a solo artist and as a member of Broken Social Scene. Here’s some of the tune:

Though I’d like to be the girl for him
And cross the sea and land for him,
In milky skin my tongue is sand until
The iridescent band begins to play

…

Though I know what I love most of him
I’m walking on needles and pins
My addiction to the worst of him
The low moon helps me sing

I’m his Brandy Alexander
Always get him into trouble
I hide that I am flattered
Brandy Alexander
I’m his Brandy Alexander
Always get him into trouble
I hide that I am flattered
Brandy Alexander

Feist’s song clearly makes reference to May Pang. Pang was John Lennon’s lover for a year and a half, although they had an off-and-on relationship that was also—at times—platonic over a ten-year period from 1970 to 1980. Pang became his personal assistant when he and Yoko Ono moved to New York City, and later, his lover when John and Yoko were having marital problems in 1973.

Anyway — on to the recipe:

BRANDY ALEXANDER

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. brandy
• 1 oz. crème de cacao
• 1 oz. heavy cream

Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker or blender. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. This drink (like many cream or half & half-based drinks) can also be made frozen: blend the ingredients with two spoonfuls of ice-cream instead of the cream/half & half, and a scoop of crushed ice, and serve in a tall wine glass.

Originally made with gin instead of brandy and called an Alexander, other variations are the Alexander’s Sister (with Bols Peppermint and gin). Many find cream too rich, and use Half & Half, which is a mix of milk and cream.

Source: That’s the Spirit

This cocktail is one of my favourites — creamy, full of cream, and when mixed just right, you can taste the Brandy but it’s not the first thing to touch the palate. Fresh grounded nutmeg on top. Yummy!