Revolver

This bourbon cocktail is locked and loaded. 

Although there seems to be an ever-growing, revolving door of Manhattan variations, the Revolver is still something special. Created by bartender Jon Santer, the cocktail made its way around the San Francisco bar scene in the early 2000s. Most notably, it appeared on the menu of Bourbon & Branch – the famed bar that made speakeasies cool again and started up the craft cocktail scene. It’s no coincidence that Jon Santer helped open Bourbon & Branch before founding Prizefighter a few years later. The dive bar was a big departure with a focus on tequila, beers, and boxing. While Santer may have moved on, the Revolver is still a crucial part of the Bourbon & Branch offerings. 

The Revolver is a simple three-ingredient cocktail that’s certainly reminiscent of the classic Manhattan, with just a few little tweaks. Rather than traditional sweet vermouth, this riff swaps in coffee liqueur as the main sweetener. Think Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, St. George Nola Coffee Liqueur, or ol’ reliable – Kahlúa. Standard bitters also get upgraded to orange bitters, but *thankfully* whiskey remains as the base. 

At the start, Santer poured a heavy glug of Bulleit Rye Whiskey into the mix, but bourbon has become the popular choice of spirit these days. Either way, reach for something with a high proof that can hold its own against the coffee liqueur. 

With caffeine, alcohol, and a Prohibition-era flair, this dangerous cocktail certainly doesn’t come with a safety.