Stinger Cocktail

The Stinger Cocktail, in this specific iteration, is a bright, low-ABV concoction that takes a classic name and gives it a modern, refreshing twist. Combining beer and blood orange, it’s a light, fruity, and effervescent drink. This isn’t your grandfather’s digestif. It’s for someone looking for a sessionable, easy-drinking option with a bit of citrus punch, perfect for daytime sipping or casual gatherings.

Stinger Cocktail

4.45 from 47 votes

Calories: 14kcal

Prep Time: 2

Total Time: 2

Ingredients

▢ 1 oz Beer
▢ .5 oz Blood Orange

Instructions

▢
Shake the ingredients in a shaker full of ice,
▢
Strain the mix into a cocktail or old fashioned glass, and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 14kcal (1%)Carbohydrates: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.002gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.002gPotassium: 1mg

Cocktail

Where it came from

While the name ‘Stinger Cocktail’ usually points to a classic brandy and mint concoction, this particular build of beer and blood orange is a modern, lighter take. It’s less about a historical bar and more about creative use of readily available ingredients, likely born out of a desire for something refreshing and low proof in a casual setting.

The traditional Stinger sits in the digestif category, a potent two-ingredient classic. This beer and blood orange iteration, however, leans towards a sessionable spritz or a fruit-forward beer cocktail. It’s a far cry from its namesake, offering a bright, fizzy alternative to heavier pours, perhaps a cousin to a shandy or a radler, but with a more direct citrus punch.

You’d likely find this version of the Stinger at a casual brunch spot, a summer patio, or a backyard gathering. It’s a low-fuss drink for when you want something flavorful without the heavy hit. It’s not a dark, speakeasy kind of drink, but rather a sunny, easy-drinking option.

What it tastes like

This Stinger offers a light, effervescent profile. The beer provides a crisp, often slightly malty or hoppy base, depending on the brew. Blood orange brings a vibrant, tart sweetness, cutting through the beer’s character and delivering a juicy, citrusy front. The finish is clean and refreshing, with the fruit lingering just enough to invite another sip.

With 1 oz of a standard 5% ABV beer and 0.5 oz of blood orange, this drink clocks in around 3.3% ABV. That makes it significantly lighter than most standard cocktails, which typically run 20% or higher. It’s also lighter than most beers, sitting more in the ‘sessionable’ or ‘low-alcohol’ category, making it an easy-drinking option for any time of day.

The technique

Building this Stinger is straightforward. Start with a chilled cocktail or old fashioned glass. Combine the beer and blood orange in a shaker with ice. Give it a quick, gentle shake to combine and chill without over-diluting or flattening the beer’s carbonation. Then strain the mix into your prepared glass. Serve immediately to capture the freshness and light effervescence.

The key technique here is the gentle, brief shake. Beer is carbonated, so a vigorous or prolonged shake will kill the fizz, leaving you with a flat drink. A quick, soft shake chills the ingredients without entirely stripping the carbonation, maintaining the desired light and refreshing texture. Skipping this careful approach means serving a flat, lifeless drink.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Beer

Use: A lighter lager, pilsner, or even a wheat beer works well here. Think something clean and not overly hoppy or bitter, like a crisp pilsner or a light American lager. The goal is a refreshing base, not a heavy brew.
Skip: Avoid dark stouts, overly bitter IPAs, or heavily flavored craft beers. They will overpower the delicate blood orange and create a muddled, unbalanced flavor profile instead of a bright, clean drink.
Why: The beer forms the body and effervescence of this drink. Its carbonation and subtle flavor provide the refreshing backbone against which the blood orange can shine, making the drink light and sessionable.

Blood Orange

Use: Freshly squeezed blood orange juice is non-negotiable for its vibrant color and distinct sweet-tart flavor. If fresh isn’t an option, a high-quality, unsweetened bottled blood orange juice can work in a pinch, but fresh is always best.
Skip: Don’t use regular orange juice. While similar, blood orange has a unique berry-like tartness and a deeper color that sets this drink apart. Processed, sweetened orange juice will also make the drink cloyingly sweet and less fresh.
Why: Blood orange provides the signature fruit character, balancing the beer with its bright acidity and unique sweetness. It also lends the drink its appealing reddish hue, making it visually distinct and inviting.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Grapefruit Stinger

A tart twist: Swap blood orange for fresh grapefruit juice for a more bitter, zesty profile that still pairs well with a light beer.

Lemon-Lime Stinger

Classic citrus refreshment: Use a mix of fresh lemon and lime juice for a brighter, more universally appealing citrus kick, akin to a sophisticated shandy.

Spiced Stinger

A hint of warmth: Add a dash of ginger beer or a small amount of ginger syrup along with the blood orange for a subtle, warming spice note.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Beer?

A light sparkling wine or prosecco can provide a similar effervescence and a neutral base, making it more like a mimosa but still refreshing.

No Blood Orange?

Fresh navel orange juice or even a good quality tangerine juice can be used, though you’ll lose some of the specific tartness and color.

No Shaker?

Gently stir the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice for a short time, then strain. You’ll lose some chill and aeration, but it’s better than shaking beer vigorously.

No Cocktail or Old Fashioned Glass?

Any small, sturdy glass will do. A rocks glass, a tumbler, or even a small wine glass will work fine for serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Stinger Cocktail?

This version of the Stinger Cocktail contains 1 ounce of beer and 0.5 ounce of blood orange juice.

Is the Stinger Cocktail a strong drink?

No, this Stinger is a low alcohol by volume (ABV) drink, much lighter than typical cocktails or even most beers, making it very sessionable.

What kind of beer should I use for a Stinger Cocktail?

A light, crisp beer like a lager, pilsner, or wheat beer works best to complement the blood orange without overpowering it.

Can I use bottled blood orange juice?

Freshly squeezed blood orange juice is always preferred for its vibrant flavor and color, but a high-quality, unsweetened bottled juice can be used if fresh is unavailable.

Why do I shake a beer cocktail gently?

Shaking beer too vigorously will kill its carbonation, making the drink flat. A gentle, brief shake chills the ingredients while preserving some effervescence.

What does a Stinger Cocktail taste like?

This Stinger offers a bright, refreshing taste with the effervescence of beer and the sweet-tart, juicy notes of blood orange, finishing clean and light.

Is this the classic Stinger Cocktail?

No, the classic Stinger Cocktail is traditionally made with brandy or cognac and crème de menthe. This recipe is a modern, lighter interpretation using beer and blood orange.

When is the best time to drink a Stinger Cocktail?

This light and refreshing drink is ideal for brunch, daytime gatherings, or any occasion where you want a flavorful, low-ABV option.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read