Stinger
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 30.2% ABV ∙
The Stinger is a two-ingredient spirit-forward cocktail of Cognac and white crème de menthe, shaken and served over crushed ice. Cool mint hits first, then warm brandy depth settles underneath, finishing clean and crisp off the crushed ice.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Cognac 60 mlCrème de Menthe white 20 ml
- Strain into the glass filled with crushed ice
- Garnish with a mint sprig
Tips
- Pre-chill the glass so the crushed ice doesn't melt too fast and dilute the pour before drinking.
- Shake hard and briefly — this is a two-ingredient spirit drink, so a thorough chill matters more than aeration.
- Measure the crème de menthe carefully; a heavy pour turns the drink cloying and buries the Cognac.
History
The Stinger is generally traced to the pre-Prohibition era, with most accounts placing its creation in New York around the 1890s to the early 1910s. One version credits a bartender named Herman at the Hotel Bartholdi in New York with serving an early cognac-and-crème-de-menthe drink under a different name, which went through several name changes before becoming known as the Stinger. That name is often linked to around 1913 and to the fashionable Vanderbilt social set of the era, though its exact origin story is not firmly documented and who first invented the drink remains unclear. By the 1920s and 1930s, the Stinger, made from brandy and white crème de menthe, had become a fixture of after-dinner drinking, noted in period drink writing as one of the most popular cocktails of its day before falling out of common use for much of the later 20th century.
FAQ
What is a Stinger cocktail made of?
A Stinger is made of Cognac and white crème de menthe, shaken with ice and strained over crushed ice. It is garnished with a mint sprig and served in an old-fashioned glass.
Is the Stinger a strong drink?
Yes, at about 30.2% ABV the Stinger is a strong, spirit-forward drink, since it is built almost entirely from Cognac with only a small amount of crème de menthe to soften it.
What does a Stinger taste like?
It tastes like cool mint layered over warm brandy, with the Cognac's depth coming through once the initial menthol coolness fades. The crushed ice keeps it cold and lightly dilutes it, so the finish stays clean rather than syrupy despite the drink's strength.
What is the recipe for a Stinger?
Shake Cognac and white crème de menthe with ice, then strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig. It is a simple two-ingredient build with no citrus, sugar, or bitters involved.
