Picture yourself at a cocktail party in the 1950s, nursing a silky smooth drink that tastes like dessert in a glass. The Stinger is that timeless classic: just three simple ingredients that come together to create something unexpectedly sophisticated and refreshing. This creamy, minty cocktail has been winning over crowds for decades, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why it never goes out of style.
The beauty of a Stinger lies in its simplicity and versatility. You can batch it for a party, customize the mint intensity to your liking, or even turn it into a frozen treat on a warm afternoon. Whether you’re a cocktail novice or a seasoned bartender, this recipe delivers impressive results every single time with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Stinger checks all the boxes for a crowd-pleasing cocktail. It’s quick to make, requires ingredients you likely already have on hand, and tastes far more complex than its three-ingredient simplicity suggests.
- Silky smooth texture from the creme de menthe and brandy combination
- Refreshingly minty flavor that cleanses your palate between sips
- Works perfectly as a digestif after a heavy meal
- Can be served straight up or frozen for a different experience
- Impressively simple to make at home, yet tastes like it came from a professional bar
My Experience Making This Recipe
I first made a Stinger on a whim after finding an old cocktail book at a flea market. I was skeptical that just brandy, creme de menthe, and ice could taste this good, but I was wrong. The first sip transported me straight to a sophisticated dinner party from another era.
What struck me most was how refreshing this drink felt, especially after a large meal. The mint doesn’t overpower; instead, it plays beautifully with the warmth of the brandy. My guests asked for the recipe immediately, and I’ve made countless batches since for dinner parties and casual gatherings.
The texture is what really sells this drink to me. When you shake it properly, the ice creates this luxurious, almost creamy mouthfeel that makes you slow down and savor every sip. It’s become my go-to cocktail for impressing people without spending hours behind the bar.
Recipe Overview
- Recipe Name: Stinger Cocktail
- Servings: 1
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Course: Cocktail
- Cuisine: American
- Calories per Serving: 180
Equipment You Will Need
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger for measuring
- Bar spoon or long spoon
- Cocktail strainer
- Coupe glass or martini glass
- Ice cubes or crushed ice
Ingredients for Stinger
- 1.5 ounces brandy (or cognac for a premium version)
- 0.5 ounces white creme de menthe
- Ice cubes
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Brandy is the backbone of this drink, providing warmth and depth. If you don’t have brandy, try a high-quality whiskey or even bourbon for a smokier twist, though the flavor profile will shift considerably.
- White creme de menthe delivers the minty sweetness without the dark color of green creme de menthe. If you only have green creme de menthe on hand, use it, but expect a slightly earthier flavor and a beautiful emerald color.
- Ice quality matters more than you’d think in a shaken cocktail. Use fresh, clear ice cubes rather than cloudy ones; they chill the drink faster without diluting it too quickly.
How to Make Stinger
Step 1: Fill Your Shaker with Ice
Pour a generous handful of ice cubes into your cocktail shaker. The ice should fill roughly half the shaker’s capacity, giving you enough surface area to properly chill the drink without over-diluting it.
Step 2: Measure Out Your Brandy
Using a jigger, measure 1.5 ounces of brandy into a separate glass first. This gives you a moment to appreciate the color and quality of what you’re working with, and it prevents you from splashing brandy everywhere when pouring into the shaker.
Step 3: Add Brandy to the Shaker
Pour the measured brandy from your glass into the ice-filled shaker. The brandy will immediately start chilling as it makes contact with the cold ice, which is exactly what you want.
Step 4: Measure and Add Creme de Menthe
Measure 0.5 ounces of white creme de menthe using your jigger, then pour it into the shaker with the brandy. The sweet mint aroma should hit you immediately, signaling that your drink is coming together nicely.
Step 5: Seal the Shaker Properly
Place the top of your shaker firmly onto the base, making sure it’s sealed tight. A loose seal means liquid leaking onto your hands and the bar, which nobody wants.
Step 6: Shake Vigorously for 10 to 12 Seconds
Shake the cocktail shaker with confidence and energy, using an up-and-down motion. You’ll hear the ice moving inside, and the shaker will become frosty on the outside as the cold intensifies. This duration is long enough to properly chill the drink and integrate the flavors without over-diluting it.
Step 7: Strain into Your Glass
Position your cocktail strainer on top of the shaker and pour the drink into a chilled coupe glass or martini glass. A chilled glass keeps your drink cold longer, so pop your glass in the freezer for two minutes before straining if you have time.
Step 8: Add an Optional Garnish and Serve
A single sprig of fresh mint placed gently on top adds a professional touch and releases its aroma with each sip. Alternatively, you can skip the garnish and serve the drink straight up. Sip immediately while the drink is perfectly chilled.
Pro Tip: Keep your brandy bottle in the freezer and your creme de menthe in the fridge before making this drink; starting with cold ingredients means less ice melt and a more perfectly balanced final cocktail.
Tips for the Best Stinger
- Use high-quality brandy or cognac if possible; you’ll taste the difference immediately since there are only three ingredients. Cheap brandy makes an obvious impact on the final flavor.
- Shake the cocktail shaker hard enough to hear the ice moving aggressively inside. Wimpy shaking leads to a warm, disappointing drink that tastes watered down.
- Chill your glassware before pouring to extend the drink’s perfect temperature window. You can use the freezer, or quickly fill the glass with ice and water, then discard before straining.
- If you prefer a sweeter drink, increase the creme de menthe by a quarter ounce. If you like it less sweet, dial it back slightly. The beauty of this cocktail is its flexibility within reason.
- Taste a tiny sip of your brandy and creme de menthe before mixing to ensure you like the base flavors. This habit prevents nasty surprises in your finished cocktail.
- Make two or more at once using the same shaker to save time at parties. Simply double or triple the recipe and shake for a few extra seconds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using green creme de menthe instead of white without expecting a flavor change; green has a more herbaceous, earthy taste that some find less smooth and refreshing than white.
- Under-shaking the cocktail because you think it’ll get watered down; you actually need vigorous shaking to properly chill and integrate the ingredients, and the brief dilution is intentional and delicious.
- Pouring brandy straight from the bottle into the shaker without measuring; you’ll end up with an unbalanced drink that tastes too boozy or too sweet depending on how heavy-handed you are.
- Forgetting to chill your glassware and then watching your drink warm up in an unpleasantly fast time frame; a cold glass is non-negotiable for this cocktail.
- Using low-quality brandy and expecting great results; this three-ingredient drink has nowhere to hide, so every ingredient must pull its weight.
Serving Suggestions
The Stinger shines after a heavy meal, thanks to its digestif properties and minty refresh. Serve it alongside dessert, after dinner, or as part of a cocktail hour spread.
- After a steak or prime rib dinner for a palate-cleansing finish
- Alongside dark chocolate desserts; the mint complements cocoa beautifully
- At cocktail hour before dinner as a chilled aperitif
- At a formal event paired with after-dinner cheeses
- On a warm evening served frozen as a slushier version
Variations to Try
- Frozen Stinger: Blend the brandy and creme de menthe with crushed ice instead of shaking to create a slushy consistency. This works beautifully on warm days and gives the drink a completely different texture while maintaining the same flavor profile.
- Green Stinger: Swap white creme de menthe for green creme de menthe to give the drink an herbaceous earthiness and a vibrant emerald color. The flavor becomes slightly more complex, though some consider it less refined than the traditional white version.
- Spiced Stinger: Add a small splash of spiced rum to the mix for warming spice notes that play nicely with the mint. This variation works especially well during fall and winter months.
- Brandy-Free Stinger: Use vodka instead of brandy for a lighter, cleaner-tasting version. The drink becomes crisper and the mint flavor takes center stage, making it feel more refreshing and less warming.
- Double Mint Stinger: Use equal parts white and green creme de menthe for a mint-forward version that feels almost like a sophisticated mint julep. This variation appeals to serious mint lovers but might feel overpowering to those who prefer subtlety.
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-free: Most brandy and creme de menthe brands are naturally gluten-free, but always check the label to be certain. This cocktail is naturally gluten-free as written with standard ingredients.
- Dairy-free: This cocktail contains no dairy ingredients in its classic form, making it inherently dairy-free. Serve it as written without any modifications needed.
- Vegan: The standard Stinger is completely vegan since it contains only brandy, creme de menthe, and ice. No animal products are involved in the classic recipe.
- Low-carb or keto: Both brandy and creme de menthe contain carbohydrates from their sugar content, so this cocktail is not ideal for strict low-carb diets. A single drink contains roughly 6 to 8 grams of carbs depending on the brands used.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator
Store your brandy and creme de menthe in a cool, dark cupboard or in the refrigerator for maximum chill. Both bottles will keep for years unopened, and once opened, they remain stable for months at room temperature or longer when refrigerated.
- Keep brandy in its original bottle away from direct sunlight
- Store creme de menthe in the fridge or freezer for faster cocktail preparation
- Both ingredients are shelf-stable and do not spoil in the traditional sense
Freezer
You can freeze the prepared Stinger cocktail in a shallow container if you’re making a large batch ahead of time. This creates a slushy texture that’s perfect for warm weather serving and keeps the drink cold without dilution from melting ice.
- Freeze in ice cube trays for individual portions that you can blend later
- Freeze in a shallow pan and scrape with a fork every 30 minutes for a sorbet-like texture
- The frozen drink keeps for up to one week in the freezer
Reheating
This is a cold cocktail, so reheating doesn’t apply in the traditional sense. If you’ve made a frozen version and want to return it to liquid form, simply let it thaw at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
- Never heat this cocktail; it will ruin the delicate flavor balance
- Thaw frozen batches slowly at room temperature for best results
- Stir gently after thawing to reintegrate any settled ingredients
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Sodium | 0mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
These values are approximate and based on standard brandy and creme de menthe brands. Nutritional content may vary slightly depending on the specific products you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a Stinger without a cocktail shaker?
Yes, you can stir the ingredients together in a mixing glass filled with ice for about 30 seconds, then strain into your serving glass. The resulting drink will be slightly less chilled than a shaken version, but it will still taste delicious.
What’s the difference between white and green creme de menthe?
White creme de menthe is clear and tastes sweeter and cleaner, making it the traditional choice for a Stinger. Green creme de menthe contains coloring and tastes more herbaceous and earthy, changing the drink’s flavor profile noticeably.
Can I make a Stinger ahead of time for a party?
You can prepare the individual ingredients in advance, but you should shake and serve the cocktail fresh just before drinking for the best flavor and temperature. You can batch-shake multiple Stingers at once using a larger shaker to save time during the party.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of a Stinger?
You could try substituting the brandy and creme de menthe with clear syrups and mint-infused simple syrup, but it wouldn’t truly be a Stinger anymore. The alcohol is fundamental to the drink’s character and what makes it a digestif.
What type of brandy works best for a Stinger?
Cognac is considered the gold standard since it’s a high-quality brandy from a specific French region. Any quality brandy will work beautifully; avoid the cheapest options, which tend to taste harsh and cheap in a three-ingredient cocktail where everything shines through.
Should I chill my brandy and creme de menthe before mixing?
Chilling them in advance helps, especially the creme de menthe, which you can keep in the freezer. This reduces ice melt during shaking and delivers a colder, more balanced final drink.
Final Thoughts
The Stinger proves that the best cocktails don’t need to be complicated to be memorable. Three simple ingredients, proper technique, and a bit of care transform into something truly special that tastes like it came straight from a classic cocktail bar.
Mix one up tonight and discover why this cocktail has remained a favorite for generations. You’ll be serving Stingers at your next dinner party, and your guests will be asking for the recipe immediately.
Explore More Cocktails
If you enjoyed learning about the Stinger, you might also love exploring other timeless cocktails from the classic era. Check out similar recipes like the Adios MF and the Adios Mother F drink for more sophisticated sipping options that will impress your friends and expand your cocktail repertoire.
Stinger Cocktail
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fill your cocktail shaker half full with ice cubes.
- Measure 1.5 ounces of brandy using a jigger and pour into the shaker.
- Measure 0.5 ounces of white creme de menthe and add to the shaker.
- Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds until frosty.
- Place a strainer on the shaker and pour the cocktail into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Optionally garnish with a fresh mint sprig and serve immediately.