The Stinger Cocktail Recipe

Posted in Brandy on March 7, 2014

 

The Stinger is a simple to make cocktail which only combines two ingredients: brandy and crème de menthe. It is a delicious after dinner drink and it goes well with a chocolate dessert. The history of numerous cocktails is surrounded by mystery or controversial, but the history of this one is basically absent. No one knows who or when invented this cocktail. There is no famous name behind it, no funny story concerning the name and no personality who might have inspired it. The only thing that we know about the Stinger is that it was first mentioned in a cocktail book in 1917.

If its history was long forgotten, it would be a shame to let the same happen to the cocktail. The truth is that the Stinger deserves to be revived and enjoyed because it easy to prepare and delicious.

This cocktail is usually served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass. However, there are also people who prefer to shake the ingredients. There is no problem in doing so. You can choose the method that you prefer: stirring or shaking.

The Stinger needs to be done with white crème de menthe. There is no problem in using green one because the taste of the cocktail won’t be altered. Unfortunately, not the same thing can be said about its appearance. Using green crème de menthe makes the drink less appealing in color. However, if you decide that you like it so, you have to know that it is called a Green Hornet. Another common variation is using fresh mint instead of crème de menthe and vodka and it is known as the Kremlin Colonel.

The Stinger is not famous because of its history since this is unknown, but because it was featured in numerous TV productions. Carry Grant is enjoying it in “The Bishop’s Wife” movie in 1947. Nine years later, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra serve it as hair of the dog in the movie “High Society”.  Also in 1956 the cocktail appears in the famous Bond movie “Diamonds Are Forever”. Over the time, it gets mentioned in numerous other famous movies such as “The Apartment” in 1960 or “Gorky Park” in 1983. The musical “Company” in 1970 mentions a variety known as Vodka Stinger which uses vodka instead of brandy.

How to Prepare the Stinger

You need the following ingredients:

• 1 ¾ oz. of brandy
• ¾ oz. of white crème de menthe.
• Crushed ice.

Put crushed ice in an old-fashioned glass and then pour the brandy and the crème de menthe. Stir them well and enjoy.