This iconic pre-Prohibition cocktail—an unlikely combo of white crème de menthe and Cognac shaken and served up—stormed bar menus in the 1920s, becoming a favorite among high society (the mint flavor supposedly helped to disguise alcohol on one’s breath). According to David Wondrich’s Imbibe!, New York playboy Reginald Vanderbilt was known for mixing them religiously every day at cocktail hour, often with a dash of absinthe. It has pop culture credentials too, tallying up screen time in the 1957 Cary Grant vehicle Kiss Them for Me, as well as in 1956’s High Society, featuring Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. This version is an update adding a bit of freshness with muddled mint and a dash of orange bitters to blend it all together.
Stinger
A 1920s society favorite.
Ingredients
Serving: 1
- 2 1/4 ounces cognac
- 3/4 ounce crème de menthe (preferably Tempus Fugit)
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 sprig mint
Garnish: mint leaf
Directions
- In a mixing glass, muddle mint with crème de menthe and orange bitters.
- Add cognac and ice, and shake until chilled.
- Strain over ice into a rocks glass or strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a small sprig of mint.