Boulevardier Cocktail

The Boulevardier cocktail is a recipe often overlooked but worthy of your attention. Made with bourbon or rye whiskey, bitter Campari and sweet vermouth, this classic cocktail offers a sophisticated twist on the Negroni with a bold flavor profile ideal that works equally well for casual enjoyment and elegant gatherings.

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Boulevardier Cocktail recipe

If the Manhattan and the Negroni were parents to another cocktail, it’d be the Boulevardier.

This bittersweet classic cocktail is reminiscent of both. It has the sweet, alluring flavor of a Manhattan along with the strong, bracing notes of a Negroni.

If you love either of those cocktails, the Boulevardier is definitely a drink you need to try. It’s a simple formula that’s easy to make at home.

More classic cocktail recipes: Gin & Tonic • Gimlet • White Negroni • Sazerac

Why you’ll love this recipe

You are going to adore this classic Boulevardier recipe!

• If you’re a fan of bitter flavors, you will love this classic cocktail.
• With just three ingredients, it’s easy to put together.
• The Boulevardier is a classic that every home bartender should know.

Once you’ve tried this recipe, you’ll be ready to stir up perfectly balanced Boulevardier cocktails for happy hour at home, dinner parties and nightcaps.

What is a Boulevardier?

The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail made with whiskey, Campari and sweet vermouth.

The recipe is similar to the Negroni, which is made with gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. It’s also similar to the Manhattan, a whiskey cocktail made with sweet vermouth and bitters.

Campari is an Italian bitter liqueur. It’s a type of apéritif and it’s what gives this cocktail a deep, bitter undertone and bright red hue.

Rye whiskey gives this drink its spicy woodsy flavor, while sweet vermouth puts the sweet in bittersweet. Garnished with a piece of orange zest, this robust drink can be served neat or on the rocks.

History of the Boulevardier cocktail

In the 1920s, an American expat named Erskine Gwynne started a literary magazine in Paris, The Boulevardier.

According to Bourbon Review, Gwynne’s signature drink recipe of the same name was published in Barflies and Cocktails, the recipe compendium of Harry MacElhone, the owner of Harry’s New York Bar in Paris.

The drink fell out of fashion after Prohibition, but the recipe has found a resurgence in the recent craft cocktail movement.

Tools & glassware

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy Boulevardier recipe:

Like Negronis and other spirit-forward drinks, Boulevardiers should be stirred, not shaken. You’ll need a mixing glass and a bar spoon, as well as a jigger to measure the ingredients.

Some Boulevardiers are served on the rocks in rocks glasses, while others are served neat, often in stemmed glasses like a Nick & Nora glass or coupe glass. If served neat, it’s imperative they are stirred with ice to chill the ingredients.

You’ll also want to plan ahead and make some large ice cubes or large ice spheres. These melt more slowly, letting your drink stay stronger for longer.

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Ingredients

The Boulevardier has three ingredients, usually measured in equal parts of one ounce each:

• rye whiskey
• bitter Italian liqueur such as Campari
• sweet vermouth
• a piece of orange zest or an orange slice

Some Boulevardiers are served on the rocks — so you’ll also need to make some ice. Big cubes of clear ice are classic for these bitter cocktails. They are great for old-fashioneds and other drinks served in rocks glasses.

The Boulevardier can also be served neat, usually in a stemmed glass like a Nick & Nora glass. If served neat, it’s imperative they are stirred with ice to chill the ingredients.

Best whiskey for a Boulevardier Cocktail

You can use any type of whiskey in a Boulevardier, but bourbon whiskey and rye whiskey are most common.

Rye has a more astringent flavor than bourbon; however, many bourbon brands also produce rye whiskey. It uses a rye mash or a mash combination of rye and malt. The U.S. regulations stipulate that the mash must contain at least 51% rye grains in order to be called rye whiskey.

Some people prefer to use bourbon. It’s a little sweeter with a little less bite than rye whiskey but still brings a woodsy, smoky, vanilla flavor to the cocktail. Use whatever you like.

Bitter liqueurs for Boulevardiers

Traditionally, the Boulevardier is made with Campari, a brand of bitter Italian liqueur with a deep red hue. It’s what’s called an apéritif, which means it’s typically enjoyed before a meal and is said to prepare the stomach for food.

The flavor of Campari is very, very bitter, so if you prefer something lighter, you can use another red bitter such as Aperol. Known for its role in the Aperol Spritz, this spirit is a sweeter and less bitter alternative to Campari. You can also substitute different types of amari.

Changing out the bitter liqueur in the Boulevardier is a great way to experiment with different flavor profiles. The folks at VinePair put together a list of more Campari alternatives you can try, including:

• Luxardo Bitter
• Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Bitter Liqueur
• Contratto Bitter

Sweet vermouth

Sweet vermouth is sweet and red, regardless of its country of origin. It’s also known as Italian vermouth, red vermouth or vermouth rosso.

The Boulevardier has French roots, as it’s from New Orleans, so a French sweet vermouth like Dolin Vermouth de Rouge or Noilly Prat Sweet Vermouth. Try different ones to find your favorite.

Vermouth is a fortified wine, and wine can go bad, so be sure to store open bottles in the fridge for up to a month.

Variations and substitutions

Try adjusting the ratio of the Boulevardier if you like. Some people do equal parts whiskey, Campari and sweet vermouth, but the original recipe called for twice as much whiskey.

You can also mix up your classic Boulevardier with one of these variations:

Classic Negroni: The Boulevardier is practically a Negroni, which is made with Campari bitter liqueur, red vermouth and herbal gin.

Negroni Sbagliato: This bubbly spin on the Negroni swaps gin for the Italian sparkling wine known as prosecco. You could add a splash of champagne to the Boulevardier too.

Manhattan: This drink is very similar to the Manhattan, which is made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters.

How to make a Boulevardier Cocktail

Here’s how to make a delicious Boulevardier cocktail at home:

In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine rye whiskey, Campari and dry vermouth.

Gently, use a bar spoon to stir the mixture until well-chilled.

Strain into an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube. You can also serve it neat in a Nick & Nora glass.

Garnish it with a piece of orange peel.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making the best Boulevardier cocktail:

• Experiment with different combinations of bitter liqueurs and whiskeys to find your ultimate Boulevardier.
• Always store your open bottles of vermouth in the fridge. (This goes for dry vermouth too.) They’ll last for about 1-2 months after opening them if stored in the fridge.
• Don’t shake the cocktail. Prepare it in a mixing glass, using a bar spoon to stir the ingredients with ice cubes. This chills the ingredients enough, while shaking will melt too much of the ice, diluting the cocktail.

What to serve with a Boulevardier

Enhance your enjoyment of the elegant Boulevardier cocktail with a variety of flavors and textures to complement its complex flavor profile.

A cheese and charcuterie board can have lots of sweet and salty elements that pair well with the bitter flavors. Include a mix of cured meats like prosciutto, salami or chorizo and aged cheeses like aged cheddar, gouda or blue cheese.

Spicy snacks like chicken wings and cheesy ones like Chex mix or jalapeño poppers will provide a contrasting kick for this bittersweet sipper.

Dark chocolate is also a nice match for the complex flavors in this cocktail. Rich desserts like bourbon balls (made with rye whiskey!) or tiramisu trifle will give this drink a decadent finish.

FAQ

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