The Classic Stinger: A Two-Ingredient After-Dinner Cocktail
A Stinger is a classic two-ingredient cocktail made with brandy and white crème de menthe. Stirred over ice and strained into a chilled coupe, it's a refreshingly minty after-dinner drink that takes only 3 minutes to make.
- Basebrandy
- Strength25% ABV, approximate
- Methodstir
- Glasscoupe
- Difficultyeasy
- Total3 min
- Serves1
- Cool
- Minty
- Sweet
- Spirit-forward
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Bar spoon
- Mixing glass or pint glass
- Julep strainer or fine mesh strainer
- Chilled coupe glass
The Stinger is the cocktail world's reminder that you don't need a full bar to make something worth drinking. Two ingredients, a bar spoon, and ice. Brandy gives it warmth and structure. White crème de menthe brings a cool, herbal mint that plays against the spirit instead of hiding it.
This is a drink built for the end of a meal. It's sweet enough to read as dessert but dry enough that it won't coat your mouth. The mint isn't a garnish here—it's the whole point, woven through every sip.
You'll stir this one, not shake it. The drink is all spirits, and shaking would bruise the texture and cloud the liquid. A proper stir keeps it silky and crystal clear. In less time than it takes to boil water, you'll have a cocktail that tastes like a century of bar history in a glass.
About the Stinger
The Stinger emerged in the late 19th century, when digestifs were a nightly ritual for the upper classes. It gained serious popularity in the 1920s and 30s, becoming a favorite of the New York social scene. Its reputation as a sophisticated, palate-cleansing drink after a heavy meal cemented its place in the cocktail canon. It's a member of the 'duo' family of cocktails, relying on the contrast between a base spirit and a single, distinctive liqueur. Unlike a Mint Julep, the Stinger uses a mint-flavored liqueur rather than fresh herbs, making it far simpler to execute and consistent in flavor.
Why it works
- 1Stirring, not shaking, keeps the liquid crystal clear and the texture silky.
- 2White crème de menthe provides the mint flavor without the cloudiness or sugar grit of muddled fresh leaves.
- 3The 2:1 ratio of brandy to liqueur lets the spirit lead while the mint finishes.
- 4Chilling the coupe glass ensures the drink stays cold with minimal dilution.
- 5The cold temperature tames the sweetness of the crème de menthe, balancing the drink.
Ingredients
Serves 1.
1.5 oz Brandy or Cognac, chilledA good Cognac or brandy forms the backbone; its warmth carries the mint.
0.75 oz White crème de mentheWhite, not green, to keep the drink clear and avoid added color.
1 Fresh mint leaf, for garnishA single leaf on the surface signals the flavor without overpowering it.
ingredients
The brandy matters. You don't need a $100 bottle, but pick something you'd sip neat—the crème de menthe won't hide a harsh spirit. For the crème de menthe, always choose white. Green is for St. Patrick's Day and will turn your drink a murky swamp color. If you're curious about a slightly different flavor, a good quality crème de menthe will be made with real mint oils. The fresh mint leaf for garnish should be small and unbruised, and you should slap it gently before placing it on the drink to release its aroma.
You need: jigger or measuring spoons, bar spoon, mixing glass or pint glass, julep strainer or fine mesh strainer, chilled coupe glass.
Method
Chill the glass
Fill your coupe glass with cracked ice and set it aside. You want the glass cold before the drink touches it. A warm glass will immediately start melting the drink's dilution and dull the chill.
Look for: The outside of the glass will frost over slightly as it chills.
Common mistake: Skipping this step. A warm glass means a lukewarm cocktail and too much melted water.
Fill a mixing glass halfway with cracked ice. Pour in the brandy and white crème de menthe. Stir with a bar spoon for about 30 seconds. You're not just mixing—you're chilling and diluting. The drink should be ice-cold and slightly silky from the tiny amount of water the ice releases.
Look for: The outside of the mixing glass will be well-frosted, and the liquid will look perfectly clear with no streaks.
Common mistake: Stirring for only a few seconds. You'll end up with a strong, room-temperature drink that tastes harsh and syrupy. Give it a full 30 seconds.
Discard the ice from your chilled coupe. Place a strainer over the mixing glass and pour the Stinger into the coupe. Gently slap the mint leaf between your palms to release its oils, then float it on the surface of the drink.
Look for: The liquid is a clear, pale gold, and the mint leaf sits on top, releasing its aroma.
Common mistake: Straining carelessly and getting ice shards into the glass. A fine mesh strainer catches any chips and gives you a clean, professional pour.
Tips from the bar
- 1For a spirit-forward Stinger, use a VSOP Cognac. Its oak and vanilla notes will shine next to the mint.
- 2If you only have green crème de menthe, use it. The flavor is the same, but the drink will be green—know that going in.
- 3Use a large, clear ice cube in your mixing glass instead of cracked ice for a slower, more controlled dilution.
- 4Serve this in a small rocks glass over one large cube if you prefer a longer, colder drink.
Variations
- The Vodka Stinger: Swap the brandy for a good quality vodka for a cleaner, more neutral base that lets the mint take center stage.
- The Galliano Stinger: Replace the crème de menthe with Galliano, a herbal anise-flavored liqueur, for a completely different, more complex flavor profile.
- The Frozen Stinger: Blend all ingredients with a cup of crushed ice for a slushy, poolside version of this classic.
Substitutions
- If you don't have white crème de menthe, green will work in a pinch, changing the color but not the flavor.
- No brandy? A good aged rum can stand in, giving the drink a warmer, more molasses-like sweetness.
- In place of a coupe, a chilled martini glass works perfectly.
Serving, storing, batching
Serve the Stinger after dinner, as a palate cleanser and digestif. Its cool mint and warm brandy make it a perfect end to a rich meal, pairing beautifully with dark chocolate desserts or a simple plate of nuts.
This drink is made to order and doesn't store well once mixed. However, you can pre-mix the brandy and crème de menthe in a sealed bottle and keep it in the fridge. Just stir over ice and strain when ready to serve.
To batch for a party, combine 6 ounces of brandy and 3 ounces of crème de menthe in a pitcher. Chill thoroughly. To serve, stir individual portions with ice and strain into chilled coupes. This keeps the dilution consistent in each glass.
Questions people ask
A Stinger is made with two alcohols: a base of brandy or Cognac, and a mint-flavored liqueur called white crème de menthe.
Yes, the Stinger is a spirit-forward cocktail. Because it's made entirely of alcohol with no juice or mixers, its ABV is around 25%, making it a relatively strong drink.
A vodka Stinger simply replaces the brandy with vodka. This creates a cleaner, less sweet cocktail where the mint flavor of the crème de menthe is the star.
It's made of just two ingredients: 1.5 oz of brandy or Cognac and 0.75 oz of white crème de menthe, typically served in a chilled coupe glass.
Its age and simplicity. The Stinger dates back to the late 1800s and is a perfect example of a duo cocktail, where two ingredients create a balanced, complex drink that has stood the test of time.
Combine 1.5 oz brandy and 0.75 oz white crème de menthe in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 30 seconds, then strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a mint leaf.
Stingers are made by stirring, not shaking. Combine the brandy and crème de menthe with ice in a mixing glass, stir well, and strain into your glass. This preserves the drink's clarity and silky texture.
Always stir a Stinger. Since it's comprised entirely of spirits, shaking would introduce air and bruise the texture, making it cloudy. Stirring keeps it perfectly clear and silky.
A VSOP Cognac is ideal for a Stinger. Its aged, oaky notes complement the mint beautifully. However, any decent brandy that you enjoy drinking neat will work well.
Last word
The Stinger is a timeless classic that proves elegance doesn't require complexity. With just two ingredients and a few minutes, you can craft an after-dinner drink that's both refreshing and sophisticated. Give it a try tonight and see why it's been a favorite for over a century.
