Revolver

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (206 ratings)

Photographed in an UB Retro Coupe 1920 7.75oz

Ingredients:
2 oz Bourbon whiskey
12 oz Galliano Espresso Coffee liqueur
2 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura
0.08 oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup (65.0°brix, equivalent to 2:1 rich syrup) optional
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of coin-sized orange zest twist (flamed).
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. EXPRESS flamed lemon zest twist over cocktail and use as garnish.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Review:

Depending on your coffee liqueur, this can be a tad on the dry side so I've added a splash of sugar. Hence, according to your own tastes, you may want to omit/or increase the sugar, and if adding sugar then also consider using muscovado or demerara sugar rather than white sugar syrup.

View readers' comments

History:

Adapted from a recipe created in 2004 by Jon Santer at Bruno's in San Francisco, USA. Originally made with Bulleit Bourbon, hence the name, the Revolver became popular after Jon turned his attention across town to Bourbon & Branch.

Nutrition:

One serving of Revolver contains 206 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.8 standard drinks
  • 31.93% alc./vol. (31.93° proof)
  • 24.9 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Mookie’s Avatar Mookie
25th May at 19:44
I made mine with St George Nola (and Wild Turkey 101) and it was so good, nothing overly complex but felt like a good showcase for the liqueur. Will be trying it with Bardstown Wheated next
Mookie’s Avatar Mookie
29th May at 03:21
update: Bardstown wheated was a great choice
Werd Bmocsil’s Avatar Werd Bmocsil
13th February at 01:18
:shrug: maybe a different coffee liqueur? My DW & I both tasted only bourbon. Mine had McAfee's Benchmark 'Old No.8' , Fee Brothers West Indian Orange Bitters, and Kahlua.
Michael Cronin’s Avatar Michael Cronin
22nd September 2024 at 20:05
Can I aks what the purpose of the flamed organge zest twist is? Is it for show or does it add something to the cocktail's flavor? I'm as much about the presentation as I am about the flavor. Many thanks.
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
23rd September 2024 at 05:35
Toasting citrus zest does impact flavour while also adding theatre.
Michael Cronin’s Avatar Michael Cronin
22nd September 2024 at 19:24
Great color for an Autumnal Equinox afternoon cocktail. Well balanced with te Kahlua. Used Buffalo Trace this first time, but will try with a variety of others. Keeper.
Wayne Dorothy’s Avatar Wayne Dorothy
17th June 2024 at 01:30
My favorite cocktail for May! My version: 2 Wild Turkey 101, .5 Kahlua, 2 dashes orange bitters. Easy and tasty.
10th April 2024 at 07:16
Excuse the but so subtle plug, but this cocktail was my choice for the latest episode of 'Cocktail Mode', my podcast where I pair drinks with retro video games.
I used fairly budget ingredients (as that's what I had to hand) and still enjoyed it a great deal, certainly didn't need the syrup when using Kahlua.
12th January 2024 at 01:08
Pretty good. I used Mr Black and subbed in maple syrup for the simple. It's a strong, rich cocktail.
Collin Westgate’s Avatar Collin Westgate
7th September 2023 at 03:09
Delicious, love it as a nightcap. Used Mr. Black and cinnamon syrup, the almost smoky mix of coffee and the flamed orange with the bourbon makes it feel like the wild west distilled into a drink. Absolute delight if you're in that sort of mood.
Frances Marshall’s Avatar Frances Marshall
6th August 2023 at 14:10
I really enjoyed this without the sugar.
Loraine Herring’s Avatar Loraine Herring
19th February 2022 at 17:37
Yep this works, used Bulleit Bourbon instead and it was a pleasant warm cocktail not overly coffee dominant
not sure it needed the sugar syrup though
Ryan Hunter’s Avatar Ryan Hunter
6th April 2024 at 19:25
I was under the impression that Bulleit was the standard (if nothing else given the perfect fit between "revolvers" and "bullets").