IBA
Stinger – IBA
A sweet, bubbly and creamy brandy cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 28.6% ABV ∙
The Stinger is a two-ingredient spirit-forward cocktail of Cognac and white crème de menthe, stirred and strained up.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Cognac 50 mlCrème de Menthe white 20 ml
- Strain into the chilled martini cocktail glass
- Garnish with a mint leaf (opt.)
Tips
- Stir over ice until it's properly cold; the 20 ml of crème de menthe is sweet enough to taste cloying if the drink is short on water.
History
Stinger – IBA is the International Bartenders Association's official specification of the classic Stinger, listed among the Unforgettables category of its official cocktail list. The IBA specification fixes the proportions and calls for stirring the cognac and white crème de menthe with ice before straining into a chilled cocktail glass.
An early printed recipe for the Stinger itself appears in Jacques Straub's 1913 cocktail manual. It became fashionable in the 1920s through its association with New York society.
FAQ
What is a Stinger cocktail made of?
Two ingredients: Cognac and white crème de menthe, 50 ml to 20 ml in the IBA spec. It is stirred with ice and strained up; a mint leaf garnish is optional.
Is the Stinger cocktail still popular?
Less than it once was. It rarely appears on modern cocktail menus, but it is still a recognized IBA classic and turns up on Cognac-focused and after-dinner lists. Its strong mint-and-brandy flavor makes it a niche order today rather than an everyday one.
