Stinger Cocktail - Cognac & Crème de Menthe IBA Classic

The Stinger cocktail is a compact after-dinner classic built from just Cognac and white crème de menthe. Cognac supplies rich fruit, oak, and warmth, while the mint liqueur brings sweetness and a cooling finish. Stirring the two with ice gives this simple drink the chill and dilution it needs before it is served straight up.

Background

The Stinger appeared in cocktail literature by 1913 and became closely associated with Reginald Vanderbilt and American high-society drinking during the early 20th century. Its combination of brandy and white crème de menthe became particularly well known as an after-dinner drink. Today, the International Bartenders Association recognizes the Cognac-based Stinger as an official cocktail.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Cognac: The rich, oak-aged base that gives the drink fruit, warmth, and structure.
• White Crème de Menthe: Adds sweetness and the Stinger's distinctive cooling mint character.

Substitutions: A quality brandy can replace Cognac for a similar profile, but the result will no longer follow the IBA specification. Green crème de menthe can provide similar mint flavor, but it changes the drink's appearance and also departs from the official spec.

Equipment

• Jigger
• Mixing glass
• Bar spoon
• Strainer
• Martini Glass

Warm Cognac, Cold Mint

The Stinger works because its two ingredients pull in opposite directions. Cognac is rounded, warming, fruity, and oak-driven, while white crème de menthe is sweet and sharply cooling. Proper stirring brings them together without hiding either side, producing a short, silky cocktail with a clear mint finish.

Substitutions & Variations

• Brandy Stinger: Replace Cognac with a quality brandy for a similar but less specifically defined base.
• Green Stinger: Use green crème de menthe when you want the same mint direction with a vivid color.
• On the rocks: Pour the stirred drink over fresh ice for slower sipping rather than serving it straight up.
• Drier variation: Reduce the crème de menthe slightly if you prefer the Cognac to dominate.

For the official IBA version, keep the Cognac, white crème de menthe, original proportions, stirred method, and chilled Martini Glass.

Helpful Tips

• Pre-chill the glass: This small cocktail warms quickly, so a properly chilled Martini Glass makes a noticeable difference.
• Measure the mint: Crème de menthe is assertive, and accurate measuring keeps the Cognac-to-mint balance consistent.
• No 2/3 oz mark? Measure 1/2 oz plus 1 teaspoon. For 1 2/3 oz, measure 1 1/2 oz plus 1 teaspoon.
• Stir thoroughly: Proper chilling and dilution soften the sweetness without clouding the drink.
• Keep the garnish restrained: The IBA lists a mint leaf as optional, so the cocktail works perfectly well without garnish.
• Batch by ratio: For multiple servings, combine 2.5 parts Cognac with 1 part white crème de menthe, then stir individual servings with ice before straining.