I was looking for something smooth. Something that goes down easy. So, it makes perfect sense that I chose a drink that shares it’s name with a knife, sexy heels, a Marvel villain famed for his use of the blade and a rebadged Hillman Imp. Of course, one of these things is not like the others, because no one has ever, in the history of the world called the Imp, or perhaps any Hillman automobile, “sharp”. So, while looking for something smooth, I chose the sharp drink. Sounds like something I would do, let’s see how it turned out. Won’t you please join me now, as we stand and make, The Stiletto.

Which came to mind first for you? Not all that long ago, geologically, when someone mentioned the word stiletto I immediately thought of knives or the Marvel Comics villain who used them. Perhaps, even Luke Cage yelling “Sweet Christmas!!” as he disarmed him. These days, high heels and the legs that wear them come to mind and linger there, which is way better than the Sunbeam Stiletto, which no one even remembers. I looked all over for a history of this drink, but had no luck. Which I guess is why I am riffing about the rebadged version of a British car that was only familiar to a select few until the Forza Horizon series taught gamers everywhere to revere its amazing lack power and handling. Still, any racer knows you’ve got to learn to go slow before you can go fast. Seems counterintuitive, but driving something horribly underpowered will teach you how to run a clean line and not bleed off speed in the corners. If you’d like to learn more about race car driving, I am sure there are any number of websites, books or, I dare say, even videos which will be considerably more informative than my mindless ramblings, but if you’d like to learn to make this drink, I am your monkey.

Grab your tins and pop in 2 ounces of bourbon, I went with Gentleman Jack; 1/2 an ounce of Amaretto di Saronno. 1/2 an ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice and 2 stabs of Dr. Elmegirab’s Orinoco Aromatic Bitters. Add ice and shake to the beat of Nil Lara’s “Baro“. If you aren’t listening to Nil, you are missing out. Maybe this song is not the best introduction, but it was what I wanted to hear. Perhaps after you do your race car driving research, you could look deeper into his discography, then you will have learned about two more great things today and you will have done it on your own! Doesn’t that feel nice? Anyway, double strain into a beautiful Nick & Nora and garnish with a lime peel.

I don’t know why I looked at this recipe and thought it would be nice and smooth. It is not bad, it is just more booze forward than I really wanted tonight. Makes sense, it is 2 ounces of bourbon and while the amaretto does bring some sweetness, it’s the wrong kind, if you take my meaning. I see the appeal of this drink and I will make it again, perhaps bumping the amaretto to 3/4 or even a full ounce. This just wasn’t what I was looking for, in the same way an Old-Fashioned or a Manhattan wasn’t what I wanted tonight. I made a bad call, it happens. It was even an educated bad call, but I think I let the magic of marketing cloud my vision. I saw a picture of one of these and it just looked so inviting that I completely ignored the ingredient list and went for it. If that’s the worst call I make today, I’ll be lucky. You be lucky, too. Stay safe, stay hydrated and stay sane, my friends.