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.
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.
Kriss Cocktail Recipe

The Kriss cocktail combines effervescence, almond sweetness, and oak notes, making it perfect for pairing with rich meals or desserts.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce cognac
- 3/4 ounce amaretto
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup
- Top with tonic water
Instructions
- Put some ice cubes into a highball glass.
- Add the cognac, amaretto and vermouth, in that order.
- Then add the simple syrup.
- Finally, fill it to the top with tonic water.
- Garnish with a lemon slice or sliver of lemon peel.
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