A kitchen bar shows a white quartz countertop, mixed blue collage tile backsplash, and a large collection of spirits, bar accessories, and shot glasses.
Close-up of a Renegade cocktail in a cut-crystal glass, garnished with an orange peel and stirrer, sitting on a wooden bar table.

Dare To Be Different — The Renegade

Sometimes the word renegade has a bad connotation, e.g. the wanted man in the classic Styx song.  Sometimes history ultimately vindicates renegades because they dared to be different.  The word comes from the Latin renegare, which means to deny or renounce.  A 2013 creation from Sara Rosales, the Renegade cocktail isn’t nearly as old as the word.

Renegade 2
The Renegade

1 ounce bourbon
1 ounce mezcal
.75 ounces yellow Chartreuse
1 dash orange bitters
1 dash Angostura bitters

Combine in a shaker with ice, stir with the confidence that it takes to be a you know what, and strain into a chilled glass.  Orange twist garnish optional.

Like a true renegade, the Renegade stands out because of its high powered mix of bourbon and mezcal, a key part of drinks such as the Naked and Famous).  The yellow Chartreuse, used in drinks such as the Diamondback, masks its strength with a slightly sweet taste. Be careful, as too many Renegades will make you face the same fate as the man in the Styx tune (he’s about to hang on the gallows). If you want to be a renegade with a Renegade, change up the ratios of the spirits, or the bitters.

Does this combination of ingredients look a little weird?  Yes.  Just remember the motto of the elite British Special Air Service: who dares, wins.

Renounce weak cocktails, dare to have a Renegade, and win.

1 thought on “Dare To Be Different — The Renegade

  1. Only had the 9th Centenary Chartreuse tied with a 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon and Dos Hombres Mezcal.
    – Smoke and Herbs fighting it out but with the smooth Bourbon still powering through.
    This is a drink to keep you on your toes – or blow them off !

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