🥃 Whiskey Cocktail
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is what the Negroni becomes when you swap gin for bourbon. The sweetness of the bourbon softens Campari's bitterness in a way gin doesn't, making it more approachable while losing none of the complexity. Created in 1920s Paris. It aged well.
🧪 Ingredients
- 45ml bourbon (Four Roses or Maker's Mark)
- 30ml Campari
- 30ml sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica)
- 1 strip orange peel, to garnish
📋 Method
- Combine bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass.
- Add ice and stir for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Strain into a chilled coupe, or over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Express orange peel over the glass, run around the rim, and drop in.
Bartender's Notes
The ratio here leans slightly towards bourbon (45:30:30) rather than the equal-parts Negroni ratio. Experiment — some prefer 1:1:1 for more bitter punch. Like the Manhattan, vermouth quality matters. Keep it refrigerated. The Boulevardier is forgiving enough to work with most standard bourbons, but it rewards a good one.