If you love creamy, indulgent cocktails, you’re going to love this festive take on a classic – Christmas Alexander! But don’t let its easy going manner fool you; this cocktail takes no prisoners – it will knock your socks off. In more ways than one!
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Alexander Cocktail
The original Alexander is a dessert cocktail that is believed to have been created by Troy Alexander in Rectors in New York, in the early 20th century. Apparently, it was made to celebrate a fictional character, Phoebe Snow, who was always dressed in white. Hence the original Alexander was a white drink, containing clear Crème de Cacao, gin and cream.
Concoctions made with dark Crème de Cacao will, naturally be darker.
What is Crème de Cacao?
Crème de Cacao is a chocolate or cocoa liqueur that comes in either a clear or caramel-brown shade. Despite the word “crème” in it, it doesn’t have any dairy, the term is meant to reflect the smoothness of the drink.
The Alexander has spawned many variations over the years:
- most notably, the Brandy Alexander, in which brandy replaces the gin, and which has proven to be more popular than the original
- Coffee Alexander
- Blue Alexander, in the latter, Curaçao replaces the chocolate liqueur
Our Christmas Alexander Cocktail Recipe
I fancied making a Christmas cocktail. I went about it back to front though; I thought of the name, then created the cocktail! Christmas Alexander seemed like a cool name that just stuck and refused to be left alone. It even chased me in my dreams!
Seriously. I had a dream about adding Baileys to the mix, and that, I guess, was it.
The result?
The Christmas Alexander is a delicious blend of creamy chocolate devil in disguise. It goes down so smoothly and tastes so perfectly innocent because of the cream. You’ll finish the glass before you know it, then realise maybe you should have sipped the damn thing! Because it’s gone straight to your head!
So impress your guests this holiday season with this very merry festive drink!
Let’s get mixing, shall we?
If you like the recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood
Lin xx
Christmas Alexander, a Festive Winter Cocktail
Ingredients
- 30 ml crème de cacao (of your choice, clear or dark)
- 30 ml brandy
- 30 ml single cream
- 60 ml Baileys
- a drop of vanilla extract
- a handful ice cubes
Garnish
- a little freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon
Instructions
- Place the crème de cacao, brandy, cream, Baileys and ice cubes in a mixer and shake it up to mix and chill the drink.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Top with a light sprinkling of nutmeg or cinnamon.
O la la! Now, this Christmas I will have fun. Just yesterday I found someone selling Bailey’s! Thanks, I love it! Will come back yet again to reconfirm if I have all that I need.
A pleasure, it’s a favourite!
I definitely would have just gulped it down as I’m a huge fan of Baileys. Such a lovely dessert cocktail, looks creamy and festive.
Haha, totally!
Sounds like a perfect party cocktail!! Beautifully captured!!
Thank you!
Looks like something that I will have to try!
Thank you, let me know how it goes!
Oh this sounds amazing! I know a certain someone who would love it for New year’s eve. Thank you for the idea, Lin.
A pleasure, thank you, Maria!
This looks so yummy! I’m definitely going to whip this one up this weekend! I love finding new drink recipes, so I’m excited about this one!
Thank you Jasmine!
Such an amazing cocktail! It really looks amazing and I want this for New years Eve.
Thank you, happy New Year!
That little tidbit about the “smoothness” of creme got me all interested in everything about them. I wish I had cocktails this past two days, I was all soda and shake, though I can’t complain.
Haha, I know the feeling. Thank you, Dana!
This is a cocktail that will be on my list! Looks amazing!
mmm.. i can already taste it while reading it! looks amazing too! perfect to serve for guests on holidays! love how the story that goes with it too!
Thank you, and yes, stories make all the difference to a recipe, don’t they?
Crème de Cacao and Bailey’s sounds like a wonderful combination. I need to give this a try during the holiday season.
I can’t believe this only takes 5 minutes to make. That’s so easy! I’d love to serve this to guess on Christmas!
Looks perfect. My take, less alcohol but I love the color. Haha… looks chocolaty, my sweet retreat.
That looks amazing! I love festive drinks to try over the holidays!
This drink looks absolutely divine. Grabbing this recipe.
What a delicious looking drink. This would be great for New Years eve
Yes, it certainly will be, thank you, Tara!
Can’t go wrong with anything with Bailey’s in the mix! The addition of the ginger cookie sounds delicious-crumbs and all!!!
I totally agree with that! Thank you Jennifer!