We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Kriss Cocktail Recipe

A refined cocktail blending cognac, amaretto, and dry vermouth, balanced with tonic water for a refreshing twist on classic flavors.

The Kriss cocktail is an intriguing blend of cognac, amaretto, and dry vermouth that’s refined and refreshing at the same time. It’s a  twist on the classic Stinger.

Kriss Cocktail with lemonPin

It’s long and strong, and not too sweet with the vermouth to balance out the amaretto. And the tonic water makes all the other ingredients blend together.

Tasting Notes

The first thing you notice is the effervescence from the tonic water. The refreshing bubbles add a touch of sweetness, but it’s quickly overtaken by notes of oak, vanilla, and dried fruit from the cognac.

Amaretto adds another hint of sweetness with the flavor of almond. And then the dry vermouth introduces a layer of bitterness and complexity that rounds out the drink.

What Makes it Work

You don’t need to spend a lot on the cognac. Your basic bottle of Hennessy would be perfect for this drink. Cognac is already an upgrade over brandy.

There are a number of delicious brands of amaretto. I’m a fan of Disaronno and Luxardo, but if you can’t find either of those, other brands are great, too.

For the dry vermouth, Dolin is a great choice. Noilly Prat, too. And you can never go wrong with Martini and Rossi bottles.

Fever Tree tonic water is what I use. It’s got a nice effervescence and just a hint of sweet and citrus notes.

It takes only about 5 minutes to make your own simple syrup, or you can go with just about any brand out there.

Serving Suggestions

The Kriss cocktail is best served in a highball or Collins glass filled with ice. For an added flourish, consider garnishing with a sliver of lemon peel or a lemon slice.

Food Pairings

This drink is easy to pair with foods, and will go with nearly anything.  A classic pairing would be rich meals such as steak, roasted duck, or hearty stews.

The Kriss also works well as an after-dinner drink. It pairs well with cheeses, nuts, or even desserts like chocolate or fruit-based options.

Yield: 1 drink

Kriss Cocktail Recipe

Kriss Cocktail with lemon

The Kriss cocktail combines effervescence, almond sweetness, and oak notes, making it perfect for pairing with rich meals or desserts.

Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce cognac
  • 3/4 ounce amaretto
  • 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
  • 1/4 ounce simple syrup
  • Top with tonic water

Instructions

  1. Put some ice cubes into a highball glass.
  2. Add the cognac, amaretto and vermouth, in that order.
  3. Then add the simple syrup.
  4. Finally, fill it to the top with tonic water.
  5. Garnish with a lemon slice or sliver of lemon peel.

Follow me on Pinterest for more great recipes!

Or share this post on Pinterest!

More Like This

  • Jack Rose Cocktail garnished with apple slice and raspberry

    Jack Rose, The Classic Apple Brandy Cocktail You’ve Been Missing

  • Queen Victoria cocktail with lemon twist and cinnamon stick

    Queen Victoria Cocktail Recipe

  • Bayou cocktail with lime wheel

    Bayou Cocktail Recipe

  • Queen Bee drink with orange twist garnish

    Queen Bee Drink Recipe

  • Eden Cocktail beside bottle of Pisco Porton

    Eden Cocktail Recipe

  • Zephyr cocktail with pineapple wedge garnish

    Zephyr Cocktail Recipe

  • Liberty Cocktail drink with a lime wedge

    Liberty Cocktail Recipe

  • Two Phoebe Snow cocktails in Nick and Nora glass

    Phoebe Snow Cocktail Recipe

  • Hawaiian Brandy drink in cocktail glass

    Hawaiian Brandy Cocktail Recipe

  • Mikado drink in tall glass with ice

    The Best Mikado Cocktail Recipe

  • Baltimore Bracer drink in cocktail glass

    Classic Baltimore Bracer Cocktail Recipe

  • Porto Flip cocktail on table

    Porto Flip Cocktail Recipe

Filed in:

Glassware:

Last Updated:

April 1, 2025

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *