Stinger with Brandy and White Mint Liqueur

Brandy and white crème de menthe give the Stinger a clear contrast: the spirit’s character alongside sweet mint. Serve it cold in a coupe or over ice in a rocks glass. Both versions keep the same short ingredient list, with fresh mint as an optional finishing touch.

Brandy and a clear mint liqueur

Brandy is the base here; Cognac is one suitable choice. Its particular fruit, wood or spice notes depend on the bottle. White crème de menthe supplies sweetness and mint flavor. “White” describes the clear style of mint liqueur, rather than a creamy ingredient.

The optional mint garnish adds a fresh aroma above the glass. It complements the liqueur but does not replace it. Choose the liqueur for its flavor as well as its color, since products can differ.

Stir or shake, then serve cold

This method allows either stirring or shaking. Stirring suits a clear-looking drink; shaking mixes more vigorously. Both are ways to combine and chill the ingredients, so choose the texture and presentation you prefer.

A prechilled coupe serves the drink without serving ice; a rocks glass holds the optional ice. In the latter, melting ice continues to change the concentration. Use ice made from drinking water and clean tools for handling it. If using fresh mint, rinse it and handle it with clean hands or utensils before garnishing.

Choose the glass to suit the occasion

The coupe gives you a cold drink without an ice cube moving through it, while the rocks serving changes as the ice melts. For another simple spirit-and-liqueur pairing, the Godfather uses Scotch and almond-like amaretto in place of brandy and mint.

Give the mint room to be noticed

A clean-smelling glass helps the mint aroma stand out. If you use the garnish, choose a fresh-looking sprig and keep it from crowding the rim. A glass that is comfortable to drink from is more useful than an elaborate arrangement.

Optional Cognac, garnish or ice

Choose Cognac as your brandy option when you want to explore that style in the drink. Fresh mint is optional, as is serving over ice. Keep white crème de menthe for the clear mint-liqueur version; a different liqueur will change the result.

Keep the garnish separate until serving

Chill the glass in advance and combine the drink close to serving. Store the brandy and liqueur tightly closed according to their labels, protected from heat and direct light. Keep fresh mint appropriately refrigerated and separate from the mixed drink until needed. Avoid leaving the finished rocks version waiting over melting ice.

Frequently asked questions

Must the brandy be Cognac?
No. This version calls for brandy, with Cognac as a suitable option. The chosen bottle influences the finished flavor.

Does white crème de menthe mean cream?
No. Here it means a clear mint liqueur. Cream is not an ingredient in this Stinger.

Should a Stinger be stirred or shaken?
Either is allowed in this method. Stir for a clear-looking presentation, or shake if you prefer that mixing style; serve cold.

Can I serve it without ice in the glass?
Yes. Choose the prechilled coupe. For the rocks version, serve in a rocks glass over the optional ice.