I usually use a 3-to-1 ratio of cognac to Crème de Menthe, such as 2 1/4 oz Cognac to 3/4 oz of Crème de Menthe.

William Schmidt has a similar combination of Cognac, crème de menthe, and gum syrup under a different name (The Judge). The Stinger itself was +/- 1910 with the earliest reference that I have being Jacques Straub 1914. I'll parse the Oxford Companion entry later.

I like a slightly different ratio of 2 oz blended scotch and 1/2 oz Drambue. Combine in old fashioned glass, add ice, stir.

Dave Stolz's recipe (which is 2 oz Scotch and 1/2 oz Drambuie) calls for including a wide lemon peel and one dash of Angostura bitters. Muddle the lemon zest, Drambuie, and bitters to express the lemon oil. Add a large ice chunk or two to three ice cubes then add the Scotch. Stir briskly to blend and chill.

Very nice.

http://www.smallscreennetwork.com/video/758/home_bar_basics_rusty_nail/

I reduced the scotch from 2-1/2 to 2 oz to make a more reasonably-sized drink. Robert Hess calls for 1-1/2, but I think that works for a bar where the amount of spirit is controlled. 2-1/2 oz into the mixing glass should be sufficient. I do like the idea of a lemon twist to accent the honey in the Drambuie and a dash of Angostura for complexity.

<br />It's really unfair to rate this drink. Use the same vermouth, but use an Islay vs a Highland scotch, and I guarantee you'll get two different rating scores. Likewise, you can use the same scotch but use two different high-quality vermouths and I guarantee you'll get two dififerent rating scores. There's no answer to the dilemma, I'm just bringing it to you're attention.

I suppose you can make the same comment about any drink, but the Rob Roy is particularly sensitive to this issue, simply because Islay scotches are so incredibly different in taste from the other Scotches, that it will profoundly affect rating scores. I hate the peated Scotches typical of Islay, and I love the incredibly smooth and refreshing taste of a Scotch from Hightland. What to do? I haven't a clue! Do you?

The Rob Roy tends to be made with an un-peated blended scotch. Most cocktails that don't specify are this way. The template for this particular cocktail's pretty forgiving & peat can be tasty here. But people who order this would be extremely unlikely to get it made with a peated scotch unless they asked for it.

The recipe I see for Dale's Planter's Punch online uses 1/2 oz of Allspice Dram for a whole punchbowl, with 5 oz. of each of the rums. 1/2 oz for this size recipe is too much in my opinion. Edit: Oops, this comment was intended for the Planter's Punch (Dale Degroff)

A bit sour. I combined with a few other recipes: split rum - 1 oz Goslings dark rum, 1 oz Smith & Cross Jamaican rum, add 1 oz pineapple juice, 1/2 oz. velvet falernum, top with soda.

For brunch survival purposes I go with 1 oz gin instead of 2. Also I go more toward cava or prosecco. I haven't taken up Todd Maul's suggestion that this apéro requires cognac rather than gin - with the lemon/bubbly combo I'd think that gin would be a no-brainer.

I prefer this with cognac. It is a very good, classic cocktail. The Elderflower version (French 77) is a nice variation, particularly if you haven't been overexposed to St Germain.

I've always been told that if it's gin, it's an English 75, and that Cognac is the way to go here.

Interesting. Among my friends, I call the Cognac version a French French 75. I made these for a friend's 50's birthday party, which was catered. Big hit. It is one of those cocktails that appeals to a wide variety of imbibers.

Christopher James at the Ryland Inn in Jersey makes a version with Art in the Age's SAGE:

1.5 oz SAGE
0.75 oz lemon juice
0.75 oz 2:1 simple syrup
2.0 oz brut champagne
Toasted rosemary garnish

Served in a Champagne flute.

For a fun variation, try using an Earl Grey Tea Syrup

We've always made this with gin. Tried a nice cognac tonight and decide both are 5s!