Rock and Rye has long been a hub for those who crave the romance of a well-made classic cocktail with a modern twist. Known for its devotion to top-shelf liquors and precise technique, the hangout feels like stepping into a well-curated lab where every glass tells a story.

The Kinsman Brandy Alexander Tour is just another chapter in that story, and this year’s edition makes its mark with a bold, collaborative take on the classic dessert cocktail.

This year, two friends behind the shaker—BB Alarcon and Jorge Contreras—team up to push the Brandy Alexander envelope in true San Antonio fashion. BB, whose real name is Marie, got her name on the roller derby track, where she’s known as BB Hate, a nod to an evil droid in the Star Wars universe. A former dental professional, BB found her true calling after her husband, who also works at the bar, encouraged her to get into bartending. When she’s not crafting cocktails, BB is a woman of thrilling contradictions: she’s a knitter who has also endured a sprained knee and three concussions from her time in roller derby. If she hit the lottery, she’d buy a camper, "peace out," and visit every national park.

Jorge Contreras, originally from El Paso, came to San Antonio to attend UTSA and fell into bartending to pay for school, quickly realizing he’d found his passion. He loves the creativity and social energy of being behind the bar. While he enjoys a crisp pilsner after a long shift and recently loved seeing Paul McCartney live, don’t ever ask him to do karaoke—he hates it with a passion. If he could be any fictional character, he’d be Boromir from Lord of the Rings, seeing him as a paragon of manhood who, despite falling to temptation, ultimately redeems himself.

Together, this creative duo crafted the Alexander the Spiced. Inspired by the warm, comforting flavors of atole, they wanted to create something both familiar and daring. The cocktail starts with a base of Kinsman Rakia and cream and introduces the gentle warmth of cinnamon syrup and a kick of spice from Ancho Reyes. But the secret weapon, the ingredient that will have aficionados talking, is the rare and intriguing Kota Pandan Liqueur. This gives the drink a wonderfully nutty, botanical, and almost vanilla-like essence that is truly unique. The result is a cocktail that feels like a cozy hug in a glass; it's creamy and sweet on the front, followed by a complex wave of cinnamon, gentle chili warmth, and a lingering, aromatic pandan finish. Just the kinda cocktail you’d expect from Rock and Rye!

So here’s your call to action: swing by Rock and Rye, say hello to Jorge and BB, and order The Alexander the Spiced. It’s a special invitation to enjoy a creative, seasonal take on the Brandy Alexander now through NYE.