A look into National Drink Holidays
January 31 is National Brandy Alexander Day!
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What is a Brandy Alexander?
Brandy Alexander is a sweet, brandy-based cocktail that became popular during the early 20th century. It was supposedly created at the wedding between Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles in London in 1922.
The Brandy Alexander is based on an earlier, gin-based cocktail called simply an "Alexander". It is sometimes confused with a drink called a "Panama," which is made with light crème de cacao, instead of the dark crème de cacao used for the Brandy Alexander.
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Brandy Alexander
vanilla ice cream
brandy
creme de cocoa
Fill blender half full with ice cream.
Add 2 jiggers of brandy.
Add 2 jiggers of creme de cocoa.
Blend till smooth.
serves 2
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Recipes
1 1/2 oz Brandy
1 oz Dark Crème de Cacao
1 oz Half-and-half or Heavy cream
1/4 tsp grated Nutmeg
Mixing instructions:
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the brandy, crème de cacao, and half-and-half. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the nutmeg.
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Alternate recipe
2 jiggers dark crème de cacao
1 jigger brandy
1 pt. vanilla ice cream
1 c. crushed ice
Mixing instructions:
Put all ingredients in blender. Cover and frappé until sherbet consistency. Serve in small brandy snifters with nutmeg sprinkled on top. Yield: 6 (3 oz.) drinks.
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Brandy Alexander Ice Cream
The alcohol in the mixture will slow the freezing process and the ice cream will be very soft. For a firmer product, make a day ahead and place the bowl with the freshly made ice cream back in the freezer, allowing it to firm up overnight.
* 5 egg yolks
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 tablespoons plain flour
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
* 4 tablespoons Kahlua
* 4 tablespoons brandy
Mixing instructions:
Whisk egg yolks, sugar and flour together until pale and thick. Place milk and cream in a heavy saucepan and heat until very hot, but do not allow to boil. Stir constantly to prevent scorching. Whisk the milk mixture into egg mixture and return mixture to saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a metal spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Pour into glass bowl, cover and chill in the refrigerator or freezer for at least three hours.
To make the ice cream, pour the chilled mixture into the frozen bowl of an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Makes about a quart.
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