Reload with this smoky, complex and eye-opening cocktail, the robust Revolver.
A Manhattan is an old-school cocktail. Around since the 1860s and named after New York City’s iconic borough, this drink is simple, smooth and warm. A classic-looking golden-brown tipple, sloshing around in a rocks glass as the ice cubes rattle romantically… you can almost see a hard-boiled detective sipping away as the case they’re working on tickles their brain. Each sip brings another imaginary probing of the soft crevices and canals of the large thingy that occupies the cranium and pilots our bodies.
The Manhattan has tickled our fancies for over a century, so it’s no surprise that it would inspire a contemporary cocktail that has since become a modern classic. The Revolver is a fun, three-ingredient recipe that anyone of any skill can make at home. Bourbon, coffee liqueur and a few dashes of orange bitters are gently stirred together with ice. The bourbon brings a spicy and smoky profile, with vanilla and caramel, that swims seamlessly amongst the sweet and dark coffee liqueur. The bitters add some tangy and tart citrus, and in some instances, the orange peel garnish is served aflame.
This fantastic potion was created by San Francisco bartender Jon Santer. In 2004, Santer was inspired by the classic Manhattan and wanted to create a modern take on it that anybody could whip up with only a few ingredients that they might have at home. Using coffee liqueur in place of vermouth, his version of the Manhattan became known as the Revolver.
When a well-traveled drinker came into Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s bar in Portland and told him of Santer’s creation, the beverage soon began to grow in popularity. In 2014, Morgenthaler recounted this tale in his publication The Bar Book, further cementing the Revolver’s status as a modern-day classic.
What is the Best Bourbon to Use in a Revolver Cocktail?
Our recipe suggests using bourbon with the coffee liqueur and bitters. The ever-dependable Kahlúa won’t let you down, and anything from the high-end High West to a simple stalwart like Jim Beam for your bourbon will ensure this tipple warms your belly as it wakes you up a little, too.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the bourbon, coffee liqueur, and orange bitters in a mixing glass.
- Add ice cubes and stir until the mixture is well chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange peel.
Nutrition
What kind of glass and garnish is used?
Chill a cocktail glass or coupe in your freezer for fifteen to thirty minutes. Garnish with an orange peel. Lighting it on fire is optional.
What bar did this drink first appear at?
The drink first appeared at Bruno’s in San Francisco, before Jon Santer brought it over to Bourbon & Branch, the famous cocktail bar.
Similar Cocktails to the Revolver
Bourbon is one of my go-to drams when I’m in the mood for a drink but I’m not entirely sure what I’m in the mood for. A few fingers of this brown, sweet and strong spirit on its own is enough to satisfy those cravings while warming my belly. And its inclusion in a number of different cocktails also keeps my options open without too many hard decisions having to be made. Check out some of these bourbon-based beverages and try them this weekend.
- Bourbon Manhattan – A classic dram that belongs in every cocktail enthusiast’s home bar.
- Bourbon Lemonade – A refreshing favorite that provides an intense, sweet and tart experience.
- Bourbon Sour – If you’re having a hard time deciding on a drink, nothing beats this smoky Sour.
- Bourbon Smash – Muddled lemons and mint make for a thirst-quenching bourbon beverage.
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