Bolt Cutter Cocktail Recipe
Rye's spice and mezcal's smoke both stand up to the bitter, herbal weight of Cynar instead of getting buried by it, while fresh lime juice and a touch of agave keep the whole thing from tasting like straight liquor. The result is a stiff, stirred-then-shaken drink that cuts through richer food the way its name suggests.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 1
Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 3/4 oz mezcal
- 1/2 oz Cynar (artichoke amaro)
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/4 oz agave syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 wheel lime wheel, for garnish
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 223
- Protein
- 0g
- Carbs
- 7g
- Fat
- 0g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
Need different units or a different yield? Try our Conversion Calculator →
Instructions
- 1Fill a rocks glass with one large ice cube and set it in the freezer while you build the drink.
- 2In a cocktail shaker, combine the rye whiskey, mezcal, Cynar, lime juice, agave syrup, and bitters.
- 3Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the tin feels ice-cold to the touch.
- 4Strain into the chilled rocks glass over the large ice cube.
- 5Garnish with a lime wheel and serve immediately.
Tips & variations
- No mezcal on hand? A peated Scotch gives a different but comparably smoky backbone.
- Swap Cynar for another bittersweet amaro like Amaro Nonino for a sweeter, less vegetal profile.
- For a lower-proof version, cut the rye to 1.5 oz and top the finished drink with a splash of soda water.
Storage & reheating
This cocktail is meant to be mixed and served immediately; it doesn't hold well pre-batched with ice already melting in. To prep ahead for a party, combine the rye, mezcal, Cynar, lime juice, and agave in a bottle and refrigerate for up to 3 days, then shake with ice and add bitters just before serving.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Use a rye with at least 40% ABV; lower-proof whiskeys get lost next to the Cynar and mezcal.
- Squeeze the lime juice fresh; bottled juice turns noticeably flat against the bitter amaro.
FAQ
What does a Bolt Cutter cocktail taste like?
It leans dry, smoky, and bittersweet rather than fruity or sweet: rye spice up front, mezcal smoke underneath, and a bitter, herbal finish from the Cynar, balanced by just enough lime and agave to keep it drinkable.
Can I make a Bolt Cutter without mezcal?
Yes. Substitute a smoky single-malt Scotch for the mezcal, or use a second measure of rye for a less smoky, more classic whiskey-forward version.
Is this a strong cocktail?
Yes, it's spirit-forward with roughly 3.25 oz of combined base spirits and amaro to only 0.75 oz of juice and syrup, so it drinks closer to an Old Fashioned in strength than a sour.
What can I use instead of Cynar?
Amaro Nonino or Amaro Montenegro both work, though they shift the drink sweeter and less bitter than Cynar's artichoke-forward flavor.