THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD SIXTIES COOKBOOK

By Rick Rodgers & Heather Maclean. Published by Running Press, 2012.

I know that I all too often and too readily put the kitsch in kitchen, so I'm not expecting any great surprise that I've plumped for this title this week, but really - can you blame me? And while there are so many recipes just begging to be picked - spam and pineapple kebabs, anyone? - I had to choose the Brandy Alexander. Admittedly, I didn't drink it in the Sixties, but it was my (inadvertently) bad-taste cocktail of choice during my student years in the Eighties.

Brandy Alexander

Makes 1 drink

•    1 ounce brandy
•    1 ounce white crème de cacao
•    1 ounce half-and-half
•    Freshly grated nutmeg or sprinkle of cocoa powder, for garnish

Chill a cocktail glass. Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add brandy, crème de cacao, and half-and-half to the shaker. Shake well. Strain into the glass. Top with the nutmeg or cocoa and serve.

Posted by Nigella on the 21st Mar 2013