Stiletto Cocktail Drink

Stiletto

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

The Stiletto Drink recipe is your ticket to a classy cocktail! It’s simple to make and brings a whole new level of elegance to your drinks.

Stiletto Drink Recipe

Savor the chill of fall with our simple Stiletto drink recipe! The blend of bourbon, amaretto, and lemon juice creates a cocktail that's hard to resist.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

145 kl

Ingredients

  • 1½ oz Bourbon
  • ½ oz Amaretto
  • ½ oz lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Strainer
  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger

Instructions

  • Chill your old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  • Squeeze into the cocktail shaker ½ oz lemon juice.
  • Add ½ oz Amaretto.
  • Pour in 1½ oz Bourbon.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake it all together vigorously.
  • Strain the mixture into your old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Bourbon: You can use rye whiskey or Scotch whisky for a different flavor profile if you don't have bourbon.
  • Amaretto: If you're out of amaretto, try using a hazelnut liqueur or even a sweet almond syrup as an alternative.
  • Lemon Juice: In a pinch, I've used lime juice instead of lemon juice. It changes the taste slightly but still works well.

Making a Pitcher of Stiletto Drink:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of bourbon, 4 oz of amaretto, and 4 oz of lemon juice.
  • Mix: Combine the bourbon, amaretto, and lemon juice in a large pitcher with ice and stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several brands are available that mimic bourbon's flavor.
  • Amaretto Substitute: Opt for an almond-flavored syrup or a non-alcoholic amaretto substitute.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Check Your Brands: Most bourbons and amarettos are vegan-friendly, but it's always best to check the specific brand you're using. Some brands may use animal products in their processing methods.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always vegan. Avoid pre-packaged juices as they can sometimes contain non-vegan additives.
  • Garnish: Stick with a simple lemon twist for garnish to keep your Stiletto drink 100% vegan.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
145
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.03
g
0
%
Sodium
 
2
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
2
%
Fiber
 
0.04
g
0
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Potassium
 
20
mg
1
%
Protein
 
0.1
g
0
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.01
g
Vitamin A
 
1
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
1
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.04
mg
0
%

 

Stiletto Cocktail Drink

Stiletto Drink Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Savor the chill of fall with our simple Stiletto drink recipe! The blend of bourbon, amaretto, and lemon juice creates a cocktail that's hard to resist.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 145

Ingredients
 

  • 1½ oz Bourbon
  • ½ oz Amaretto
  • ½ oz lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Strainer
  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger

Instructions

  • Chill your old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  • Squeeze into the cocktail shaker ½ oz lemon juice.
  • Add ½ oz Amaretto.
  • Pour in 1½ oz Bourbon.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake it all together vigorously.
  • Strain the mixture into your old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Bourbon: You can use rye whiskey or Scotch whisky for a different flavor profile if you don't have bourbon.
  • Amaretto: If you're out of amaretto, try using a hazelnut liqueur or even a sweet almond syrup as an alternative.
  • Lemon Juice: In a pinch, I've used lime juice instead of lemon juice. It changes the taste slightly but still works well.

Making a Pitcher of Stiletto Drink:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of bourbon, 4 oz of amaretto, and 4 oz of lemon juice.
  • Mix: Combine the bourbon, amaretto, and lemon juice in a large pitcher with ice and stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several brands are available that mimic bourbon's flavor.
  • Amaretto Substitute: Opt for an almond-flavored syrup or a non-alcoholic amaretto substitute.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Check Your Brands: Most bourbons and amarettos are vegan-friendly, but it's always best to check the specific brand you're using. Some brands may use animal products in their processing methods.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always vegan. Avoid pre-packaged juices as they can sometimes contain non-vegan additives.
  • Garnish: Stick with a simple lemon twist for garnish to keep your Stiletto drink 100% vegan.

What is a Stiletto Drink?

A Stiletto Drink is a whiskey-based bourbon, amaretto, and lemon juice cocktail. Its name comes from the Italian word ‘stiletto,’ which means a small dagger with a slender tapering blade – perhaps an allusion to this cocktail’s sharp taste.

A side shot of a Stiletto cocktail in an old fashioned glass on a wooden tray placed on a dark table surrounded by a green cloth and a jigger.

What is a Stiletto Drink made of – The ingredients

For the creation of a Stiletto Drink, use these ingredients:

  • Bourbon: This is the base spirit of the Stiletto cocktail. It provides a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of vanilla and caramel.
  • Amaretto: A sweet Italian liqueur that adds a nutty almond flavor to the drink. It balances out the strong taste of bourbon.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a tangy citrus note, enhancing the overall flavor profile and cutting through the sweetness of the amaretto.
  • Lemon Twist for Garnish: This makes the drink visually appealing and adds a subtle fresh citrus aroma that complements the other ingredients.

Bourbon, Amaretto, lemon juice, and two lemons laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Stiletto Drink?

Our practical steps will show you how to mix up a Stiletto Drink:

1
<p>Start by filling up your old fashioned glass with ice to chill it before the service.</p>

Start by filling up your old fashioned glass with ice to chill it before the service.

2
<p>Squeeze in the shaker 0.5 ounces of lemon juice, providing a refreshing tartness that balances out the sweetness of the Amaretto.</p>

Squeeze in the shaker 0.5 ounces of lemon juice, providing a refreshing tartness that balances out the sweetness of the Amaretto.

3
<p>Add 0.5 ounces of Amaretto to the shaker. This sweet, almond-flavored Italian liqueur will add a touch of sweetness and complexity to your Stiletto drink.</p>

Add 0.5 ounces of Amaretto to the shaker. This sweet, almond-flavored Italian liqueur will add a touch of sweetness and complexity to your Stiletto drink.

4
<p>Pour 1.5 ounces of bourbon into the shaker. The bourbon is the base of the Stiletto drink and will provide a strong, robust flavor.</p>

Pour 1.5 ounces of bourbon into the shaker. The bourbon is the base of the Stiletto drink and will provide a strong, robust flavor.

5
<p>Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, ensuring that your Stiletto drink is chilled to perfection.</p>

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, ensuring that your Stiletto drink is chilled to perfection.

6
<p>Shake the mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds, mixing all the ingredients and chilling the drink.</p>

Shake the mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds, mixing all the ingredients and chilling the drink.

7
<p>Strain the mixture into the old fashioned glass over fresh ice, removing ice shards and pulp from the lemon, and leaving you with a smooth, chilled Stiletto drink.</p>

Strain the mixture into the old fashioned glass over fresh ice, removing ice shards and pulp from the lemon, and leaving you with a smooth, chilled Stiletto drink.

8
<p>Garnish the drink with a lemon twist. This adds a touch of elegance to your Stiletto drink, and the oils from the lemon peel will also add a subtle citrus aroma that enhances the overall drinking experience.</p>

Garnish the drink with a lemon twist. This adds a touch of elegance to your Stiletto drink, and the oils from the lemon peel will also add a subtle citrus aroma that enhances the overall drinking experience.

Finally, take a moment to admire your handiwork before taking the first sip. The Stiletto is not just a drink; it’s a work of art. Enjoy!

History and Origin of the Stiletto drink

‘Stiletto’ is an Italian word that means ‘little dagger.’ This might suggest the drink’s strong and rich taste. But there’s no solid proof that the cocktail comes from Italy. Many think it was first made in America in the 1950s or 1960s.

A Stiletto cocktail , shot from above, in an old fashioned glass on a beige marmol table surrounded by Bourbon, Amaretto, lemon juice, and two lemons.

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FAQ

How many calories does a Stiletto drink contain?
A standard serving of the Stiletto cocktail contains approximately 150-200 calories. However, this can vary depending on the specific brands of alcohol used and the size of the pour.
How strong is a Stiletto cocktail?
The strength of a Stiletto cocktail can vary based on the ratio of ingredients used. Typically, it has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of around 20-30%, translating to 40-60 proof. This makes it a moderately strong cocktail.
What type of alcohol is used in a Stiletto drink?
The primary alcohol in a Stiletto cocktail is whiskey, specifically bourbon or Irish whiskey. It also includes Amaretto, an Italian liqueur that adds a sweet almond flavor.
In what type of glass is a Stiletto served?
Traditionally, a Stiletto cocktail is served in an old fashioned glass. But it is fully enjoyable when strained in a cocktail glass as well.
What does a Stiletto taste like? What does a Stiletto taste like?
A well-made Stiletto offers a harmonious blend of flavors. The whiskey provides warmth and depth, while the Amaretto lends sweetness and nuttiness. Lemon juice adds acidity and brightness, balancing out the richness of the other ingredients.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Stiletto?
The classic ratio for a Stiletto cocktail is three parts whiskey, one part Amaretto, and one part lemon juice. This creates a balanced flavor profile.
How is a Stiletto served with ice?
A Stiletto cocktail is typically shaken with ice to chill, dilute it slightly, and then strained into an old fashioned glass over fresh ice.

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