Stinger Cocktail

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The stinger is a simple, classic brandy cocktail that everyone should try at least once. It's easy to mix up and the delicate combination of brandy and mint is one that will delight your senses.

This recipe is one of those easy two-ingredient drinks that takes less than a minute to make. All you need is your favorite bottle of brandy and a little crème de menthe. Pour it over ice, stir, and a fascinating drink awaits.​

The stinger makes an excellent dessert cocktail that pairs nicely with rich chocolate desserts. It's also a nice way to warm up on a chilly winter night.

The Classic Stinger Cocktail with Brandy

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

"The Stinger is a two-ingredient piece of magic. Vanilla, peppermint, and hints of wine wrapped in oak stand up well to the temperature this cocktail is served. This recipe is the correct ratio of spirit to liqueur, so that you can find the temperature you’ll enjoy this friend of a time from not so long ago." —Sean Johnson

The Stinger Recipe Test
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 ounces brandy

  • 3/4 ounce white crème de menthe liqueur

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass over crushed ice.

  3. Stir well.

  4. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Simple drinks like this can be served a few different ways. Pouring it over crushed ice is the traditional way, but you can use ice cubes of any size. For the slowest dilution and fullest flavor throughout the drink, consider an ice ball.
  • If you prefer a cocktail that's a little fancier or want to get the dilution over and done with, serve the stinger as an "up" drink. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass.
  • Crème de menthe is not a creamy liqueur. The word crème in the bar is used to describe a liqueur that has more sugar than normal. It's sweet, but definitely not a cream.
  • When looking for crème de menthe, you will come across two options: white and green. White crème de menthe is preferred here and is actually clear in color, so the drink looks like brandy on the rocks.
  • While the green liqueur is fun for cocktails like the popular grasshopper, it's not the best choice for here because it produces a muddy green colored drink. That's not necessarily bad and it doesn't affect the taste; it just doesn't have the same visual appeal. That said, if all you have is green crème de menthe, go ahead and pour it.

Recipe Variations

  • The devil cocktail takes the stinger to another level. It relies on one additional ingredient that makes a world of difference: a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. It's a fascinating contrast and one you simply have to taste for yourself.
  • When you're in the mood for a shot, give the snowball a try. This tasty little party shooter brings crème de cacao into the mix, rounding off the sweet, boozy experience quite nicely. If you really enjoy this combination, feel free to savor it by serving it as a sipper just like the stinger.

How Strong Is the Stinger?

The majority of crème de menthe liqueurs are 25 percent ABV (50 proof). Pair that with an 80-proof brandy and your stinger will have an alcohol content around 29 percent ABV (58 proof). That puts this cocktail into the "smooth yet strong" category, meaning it is filled with flavor and won't go unnoticed.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
206 Calories
0g Fat
10g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 206
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 0mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 1mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)