Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe {Whiskey Negroni}

The Boulevardier is a variation on the classic Italian Negroni, a popular, dangerously drinkable cocktail that's loved for its perfect balance of bitter, sour, and sweet.

The only difference between a Negroni and a Boulevardier is that the Negroni uses gin and the Boulevardier uses whiskey. This is not a minor difference.

Where the Negroni is crisp and refreshing, and particularly well suited for spring and summer drinking, the Boulevardier is warm and lavish. It's the kind of cocktail you want on the cool evenings of fall and winter, and is the perfect thing to serve at cocktail parties, holidays, and other celebrations.

Where Does the Name Boulevardier Come From?

Translated to English, a "boulevardier" is a man-about-town. The cocktail was created by Erskine Gwynne, an American expatriate writer living in Paris.

In the 1920s, Gwynne published a magazine for other expats named Boulevardier, a title designed to evoke images of gentlemen who spent their days leisurely strolling Parisian boulevards.

The cocktail became popular after it was published in “Barflies and Cocktails”, a recipe book by Harry MacElhone with the stated intention "…to provide an unerring and infallible guide to that vast army of workers which is engaged in catering to the public from behind bars…”

The popular cocktail book contained 300 recipes, one of which was the Boulevardier. In the book, the author credits to Gwynne for the cocktail who was a regular at Harry's New York Bar, which was owned by MacElhone.

How to Make a Whiskey Negroni

Like a classic Italian Negroni, the classic recipe for a Boulevardier calls for its three ingredients in equal measure.

However, I feel that the cocktail needs a bit more whiskey to balance out the bitterness of Campari. Using 2 parts whiskey to 1 part Campari creates a smoother cocktail, something I believe most whiskey lovers will appreciate.

Here's how to make a Boulevardier:

1. Add the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Campari to a cocktail shaker or measuring cup with a spout, and give it a stir.
2. If you want to serve it Negroni-style, pour the cocktail over large ice cubes in a cocktail glass.
3. If you'd rather serve it straight up, add ice to the cocktail shaker and stir to chill the cocktail before pouring it into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
4. Garnish the drink with an orange twist, a candied orange slice, or a maraschino cherry.

Good Ingredients Make a Better Cocktail

This is one of those cocktails for which the quality of ingredients matters.

Campari is Campari. But, there are several options for the brand of sweet vermouth and whiskey that you choose.

What kind of sweet vermouth should you use to make a Boulevardier?

If you can find it, my favorite sweet vermouth for both a Negroni and a Boulevardier is the Cinzano 1757 Rosso. It's sweet, but has a dry finish and is more fruity than other vermouths, adding a nice balance to the bitterness of the Campari.

Another great option is the Carpano Punt E Mes. This Italian sweet vermouth is also very fruit forward but also on the bitter side. So, if bitter cocktails are your jam, this is the sweet vermouth for you.

What kind of whiskey should you use to make a Boulevardier?

While some people prefer to use a spicy rye whisky in this cocktail, I prefer to use bourbon.

Maker's Mark is an obvious and easy to find bourbon that provides a smooth counterpoint to the sweet vermouth and Campari.

A less expensive option (though equally delicious) is Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon. This high-proof bourbon is a bit less sweet than other options, making it a particularly good choice for the Boulevardier.

If you'd rather go with a bourbon that has a high amount of rye, Four Roses Single Barrel is a great choice.

Boulevardier Cocktail FAQs

Other Popular Cocktail Recipes:

• The Quarter Horse: Bourbon, ginger beer, sweetened lime juice, angostura bitters
• The Perfect Manhattan: Whisky, sweet vermouth, angostura bitters
• The Sparkling Negroni: Gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, Prosecco
• Cranberry Moscow Mule: Lime, vodka, cranberry juice, ginger beer
• Pomegranate Margarita: Pomegranate juice, tequila, sweetened lime juice, Cointreau
• The Pepper Blossom: Gin, jalapeño, basil, elderflower liquor, grapefruit juice