Before we travel back in time, here's a practical gift: the complete ingredient shopping list to build this drink at home. Now, the legend.
The Stinger was born in the United States in the early 1900s and became the favorite digestif of the American haut monde. The most famous story attributes it to socialite and horse owner Reggie Vanderbilt, who served it to his guests in New York. The combination of cognac and white crème de menthe is pure minimalist elegance.
The Stinger reached its peak in the 1950s: it was James Bond's favorite drink in the novel "Diamonds Are Forever," and the cocktail of choice of high society in "High Society" (1956), where Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra sip it glass after glass. A drink that speaks of yachts, cigar smoke and post-war Manhattan glamour.
Behind every legendary cocktail there's a well-organized bartender. That's why I recommend a good barman kit like this one on Amazon: it includes everything essential for home bartending, with quality and a fair price. And if you love entertaining, a professional cocktail bar station is the investment that makes every evening feel like a real bar night.