Stinger recipe
A refreshing yet potent classic pairing rich cognac with bracing peppermint liqueur.
Method: Stir and strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 60 ml Cognac (VSOP or XO grade)
- 20 ml White Crème de Menthe (Quality peppermint liqueur)
- 2 drops Saline solution (20% salinity to balance sweetness)
How to make a Stinger
- Chill a mixing glass and a cocktail coupe thoroughly in the freezer.
- Measure the cognac, white crème de menthe, and saline solution into the mixing glass.
- Fill the mixing glass with premium ice cubes and stir briskly for 30 seconds.
- Strain the chilled liquid smoothly into the prepared chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a freshly patted mint leaf floating on top.
Garnish
Garnish with a freshly expressed mint leaf or floated mint sprig.
Pro tip
Ensure your crème de menthe is high quality with clean peppermint notes rather than artificial confectionary flavors. Using quality ice and thorough stirring dilution prevents the drink from tasting overly sweet or cloying.
History of the Stinger
The Stinger emerged in late-nineteenth-century American drinking culture, first appearing in print around the 1890s as a popular after-dinner digestif. While early folklore frequently associated its creation with high-society watering holes in New York or Saratoga, definitive historical documentation remains sparse and disputed. Initially structured as a bracing duo of brandy and mint liqueur, the drink gained immense popularity during the mid-twentieth century as a sophisticated supper-club staple. Over decades, bartenders adjusted proportions to balance the liqueur's sweetness against fine cognac, preserving its enduring legacy as an elegant classic.
Flavour profile
Minty, Rich, Crisp, Herbal
Variations
- White Spider — Substitutes vodka for cognac, creating an even lighter, ultra-crisp variation.
- Amaretto Stinger — Replaces half of the crème de menthe with amaretto for a nutty, almond-forward complexity.
Practise making the Stinger in the free Virtual Bar game.