The Midnight Stinger is a darkly elegant, spicy, and citrusy cocktail that strikes the perfect balance between strength and freshness. The combination of warm bourbon, tart lemon, sweet and herbaceous amaro, and simple syrup creates a drink that is both refreshing and striking. It is not brash, yet all the more assertive for it—a sting or a prick to the senses in the dead of night.
Story
The Midnight Stinger is one of the gems of the modern cocktail world, created in the early 2000s at the renowned New York bar Milk & Honey (now known as Attaboy) under the guidance of Sam Ross, creator of the Penicillin cocktail. The drink is a darker, more bitter reinterpretation of the classic Stinger cocktail, with its minty character coming not from crème de menthe but from fresh mint and citrus, while brandy gives way to bourbon and amaro. The result is a midnight cocktail that keeps you awake while caressing your palate.
Ingredients
1 oz (30 ml) bourbon
1 oz (30 ml) amaro (traditionally Fernet-Branca, though other distinctive amaro varieties can also be used)
¾ oz (22.5 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
¾ oz (22.5 ml) simple syrup (1:1 ratio)
fresh mint leaves (approx. 4–6 leaves)
How to Make a Midnight Stinger Cocktail
Gently rub the mint leaves between your fingers to release their essential oils, then place them in a shaker with the other ingredients. Add plenty of ice and shake well. Then, strain the drink into a glass filled with ice.
Serving and Garnish
The Midnight Stinger cocktail is traditionally served in an old-fashioned glass over crushed ice. For garnish, place a mint leaf on top. That is all you need, as the drink is already quite complex.
Calorie Content
A single serving of a Midnight Stinger cocktail contains approximately 180–190 calories. Although the amaro gives the drink its distinctive character, most of the calories come from the bourbon and simple syrup.