The Revolver cocktail is a dapper drink that combines the bold, sophisticated flavors of bourbon, coffee liqueur, and orange bitters in a satisfyingly rich and complex way. A little bitter and somewhat earthy, with a spicy, citrusy zing to round it all off, it’s a drink that means business – an iron fist in a velvet glove, if you will. Here’s our recipe.
Revolver Cocktail
PREP TIME 2 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Combine the bourbon, coffee liqueur, and orange bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice
02
2.
Stir until well-chilled
03
3.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
04
4.
Flame an orange peel over the top of the drink to express the oil
05
5.
Garnish the drink with the peel
06
6.
Serve
Brief history of the Revolver cocktail
The credit for this exceptional drink goes to mixologist and bartender Jon Santer, who first stirred it up at the Bourbon and Branch speakeasy-style bar in San Francisco, California, in the late 1990s.
A smooth riff on the classic Manhattan (opens in new window) template, the bourbon-based drink has a kick of caffeine and amazing depth of flavor, with coffee liqueur replacing sweet vermouth.
The name ‘Revolver’ is said to be a nod to the rotating cylinder of a firearm, which is echoed in the swirl of the coffee liqueur in the glass. The drink has since become a popular cocktail in bars and restaurants around the world, and it is a top choice for cocktail enthusiasts who enjoy the rich, smoky flavors of bourbon and coffee.
Learn more: 9 Things Every Newbie Should Know About Cocktail Making (opens in new window)
Tasty variations to try
If this sassy sipper hits all the right spots, here are a few other mixed drinks with exciting twists you can try at home:
- Tiramisu White Russian cocktail: Dessert cocktails are always an indulgent delight. The Tiramisu White Russian (opens in new window) is an Italian and Russian love child that blends the best of rich coffee liqueur, fruity rum, and fluffy whipped cream to create a drink that celebrates the flavor of Tiramisu (which literally means ‘pick me up’ in Italian).
- Mexican Coffee cocktail: To make Mexican Coffee (opens in new window), pick your favorite coffee, a good quality coffee liqueur, and an aged reposado tequila (our go-to is Espolòn Tequila Reposado) (opens in new window) to add extra vanilla and caramel notes. Serve warm in a mug and add a dusting of cayenne powder if you’re feeling brave.
- Blackjack cocktail: Our Blackjack cocktail (opens in new window) is vegan-friendly and made with coffee amaro, cognac, cherry liqueur, and cold-brewed coffee mixed and poured over ice. It has a fresh espresso flavor and a lovely cherry and orange finish.
- Velvet Revolver cocktail: Feeling a little fruity? Add one spoon of strawberry jam or preserve and 1.5 oz Cognac in the base of a shaker and stir until combined. Add ice, along with 0.5 oz red wine, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.25 oz simple syrup, and two dashes of bitters. Shake until frosty, and fine strain into a serving glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a strawberry slice and serve.
More zest? 8 Orange Liqueur Cocktails That Zest the Best (opens in new window)
When to serve this gorgeous drink
The coffee flavor of the cocktail makes it a great after-dinner drink (opens in new window). We also love serving it at:
- Wintery dinner parties (warms from the inside out)
- 1920s dress-up parties (it’s got that speakeasy vibe (opens in new window) to it)
- Bourbon Heritage Month, celebrated each year in September
- National Coffee Day, celebrated each year on 29 September
You might also like: 9 Best Coffee Cocktails (opens in new window)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It's a riff on the classic Manhattan, with coffee liqueur replacing the sweet vermouth. This bourbon-based drink has a kick of caffeine and an amazing depth of flavour.
If you don’t have orange bitters on hand, simply use conventional bitters instead.
