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Looking for a sophisticated twist on your bourbon repertoire? The Revolver Cocktail masterfully combines the warmth of American whiskey with rich coffee notes, creating a modern classic that belongs in every home bartender’s arsenal. We’ve perfected this recipe through countless iterations to bring you a balanced serve that highlights the best qualities of both spirits.

Two coupe glasses containing revolver cocktails, each garnished with a dried orange slice on a skewer, rest on a green marble surface.

What Is a Revolver Cocktail?

The Revolver Cocktail is a contemporary classic created by Jon Santer in San Francisco during the early 2000s. This bourbon-forward cocktail cleverly incorporates coffee liqueur and orange bitters, paying homage to the coffee-orange chocolate flavor combination while maintaining the spirit-forward character of a traditional whiskey cocktail. The drink’s name cleverly plays on the “shot” of coffee liqueur in the bourbon base.

Two coupe glasses with a dark revolver cocktail sit on a green marble surface, accompanied by a bottle and dried citrus slices.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • DEPTH – The combination of bourbon and coffee liqueur creates a sophisticated depth that evolves as the drink slowly warms in your hand.
  • EASY – It’s deceptively simple to make yet delivers a complexity that rivals more elaborate cocktails.

What You Need to Make a Revolver Cocktail

  • Bourbon: Choose a high-proof bourbon with pronounced caramel notes.
    Coffee Liqueur: A quality coffee liqueur adds rich mocha depth without overwhelming sweetness.
    Orange Bitters: Brightens the drink and ties together the bourbon and coffee notes.
    Orange Peel: Expresses essential oils that enhance the cocktail’s aromatics.

How to Make a Revolver Cocktail

  • Step 1: Pour bourbon, coffee liqueur, and bitters into your mixing glass.
  • Step 2: Add fresh, quality ice and stir for 30 seconds until properly chilled and diluted.
  • Step 3: Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
  • Step 4: Express orange peel over the drink and drop it in as garnish.
  • A hand pours bourbon from a small cup into a copper cocktail shaker beside two empty glasses and dried orange slices.
    Add the bourbon.
  • A hand pours coffee liquor from a jigger into a copper cocktail shaker on green marble, with dried orange slices and cocktail glasses in the background.
    Add the coffee liquor.
  • A hand pours bitters into a copper cocktail shaker surrounded by a bottle, cocktail glasses, and orange slices.
    Add the bitters.
  • A hand pours the revolver cocktail through a strainer into a glass with dried citrus slices on the table and a partially visible bottle in the background.
    Strain the cocktail in the glass.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • Tip 1: Select a bourbon between 90-100 proof for optimal balance with the coffee liqueur.
  • Tip 2: Stirring, rather than shaking, maintains the silky texture and prevents over-dilution.
  • Tip 3: Pre-chill your glassware for optimal serving temperature.
Two cocktail glasses filled with a dark revolver drinks garnished with dried orange slices sit on a table alongside a bottle, shaker, and additional garnishes.

How to Serve This Revolver Cocktail

Serve in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. The Revolver shines as an after-dinner sipper or sophisticated happy hour selection.

More Cocktail Recipes

SEE MORE COCKTAILS

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Revolver Cocktail Recipe

A sophisticated bourbon cocktail that marries the warmth of American whiskey with rich coffee notes and bright orange essence. This perfectly balanced recipe delivers a complex yet approachable drink that's ideal for both cocktail enthusiasts and bourbon lovers.
Print Recipe
Two dark revolver cocktails with dried orange slices sit on a green table, accompanied by a bottle, shaker, and additional orange slices in the background.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Total Time:5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 2 dashes bitters
  • Garnish – orange peel

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker or mixing glass.
  • Fill with ice and shake until chilled.
  • Strain into a glass and garnish.
Servings: 1 cocktail

Recipe FAQs

Q: Can I substitute different types of whiskey?

A: While bourbon is traditional, rye whiskey can offer an interesting spicy variation.

Q: Which coffee liqueur works best?

A: We recommend premium coffee liqueurs like Mr. Black or Kahlúa, avoiding cream-based options.

Q: Why stir instead of shake?

A: Stirring maintains the cocktail’s clarity and provides proper dilution without excessive aeration.

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Award-winning cocktail maker, picture taker, content writer, editor, and all around imbiber behind the Libation Chronicles and a few other fun projects.

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