The Boulevardier cocktail recipe is a classic from the Roaring 20s, when indulgence and excess were the order of the day. It sprang from the mind of a well-to-do socialite who whiled away his time in the smoky bars of Paris. It’s a deep well of vanilla, caramel, and oak flavours balanced out by the bittersweet bite of Campari that leaves you with a lingering finish you won’t soon forget.
Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe
PREP TIME 5 min
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Fill a mixing glass with ice
02
2.
Add in the bourbon, Campari, and vermouth
03
3.
Stir for about 30 seconds, until chilled
04
4.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass
05
5.
Twist the orange peel over the drink to express its oils, then garnish
06
6.
Serve
History of the Boulevardier
The Boulevardier recipe was invented in the 1920s by an American writer living in Paris. Erskine Gwynne was a young man-about-town who spent his days hobnobbing with the socialites in Paris. When he wasn’t flitting from brunches and lunches to dinners and cocktail parties, he spent his time creating a magazine inspired by The New Yorker called The Boulevardier.
To go along with the launch of the magazine, he decided that he needed a cocktail of the same name. Whether this was by clever design or because he couldn’t think of anything else, the Boulevardier came to be. The magazine fizzled out after five years, but the Boulevardier cocktail recipe not only endured but thrived. It’s on the International Bartenders Association’s official cocktails, and even if old Erskine never got to see it there, it’s still a feather in his beret.
Variations
Negroni lovers will tell you that the Boulevardier is a riff on it, and Boulevardier lovers will tell you the opposite. We’re here to tell you, who cares! Because they are both ridiculously good. Where the Italian Negroni is bittersweet with bracing herbal and citrus notes, this dapper drink is round, warm, and spicy with a lingering oaky finish. For two cocktails with two-thirds of the same ingredients, they couldn’t be further apart in flavour. If you’d like to try a whiskey version, just replace the bourbon with your favourite tipple.
When to serve a Boulevardier
The real question is, where does it not fit in? It’s a great all-rounder that works at cocktail and dinner parties, brunches, and barbecue cookouts. One thing to bear in mind is that this suave sipper packs a punch, so drink responsibly.
Also see: 15 Vermouth Cocktails for Sophisticated Sipping
Can I substitute the bourbon in a Boulevardier?
Yes, you can substitute the bourbon to suit your taste preference. While traditionalists might prefer bourbon for its smooth, sweet profile, rye whiskey offers a spicier alternative, adding an extra layer of complexity. For a unique twist, try using a peated Scotch for a smoky finish. Experimenting with different whiskies can lead to discovering your perfect version of the drink.
Read next: 12 Fascinating Rye Whisky Cocktails to Try (opens in new window)
More drinks to try if you love a Boulevardier
If you’re a fan of the rich and bold flavours that underpin this drink, you might also enjoy these cocktails that celebrate robust spirits and bittersweet notes:
- Manhattan: A smooth mix of rye whiskey or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters, garnished with a cherry.
- Old Pal: Similar, but made with dry vermouth instead of sweet, offering a lighter, more herbaceous profile.
- Whisky Sour: A beautiful blend of whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar syrup, perfect for those who enjoy a tart and tangy drink.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This cocktail is made up of bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth and served over ice. The word 'Boulevardier' loosely translates to 'a wealthy socialite’ or ‘man-about-town.'
Bourbon is the classic choice for the Boulevardier cocktail recipe, but you can make your own version by replacing the bourbon with whisky, rye whisky or rum.
The primary difference between a Boulevardier and a Negroni is the base spirit. A Boulevardier uses bourbon (or rye whisky), giving it a warm and oaky flavour, while a Negroni uses gin, which imparts a more botanical and juniper-forward taste. The switch from gin to whisky transforms the cocktail, creating a distinctly different experience.
Absolutely! Adventurous mixologists can experiment with other spirits like rum, tequila, or even mezcal for a smoky twist. Each liquor will bring its unique character to the cocktail, creating new and exciting variations.
