classic medium

Boulevardier

A classic cocktail featuring bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Rich, bitter, and elegantly complex.

Ingredients

  • Bourbon 1.5 oz
  • Sweet vermouth 1 oz
  • Campari 1 oz

Instructions

  1. 1 Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice
  2. 2 Stir for 30 seconds until well chilled
  3. 3 Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube
  4. 4 Garnish with an orange twist
Glassware:

Rocks glass

Technique:

stir

Servings:

1

Garnish:

Orange twist

The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that showcases the perfect balance of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari. It’s a perfect example of the “spirit + vermouth + bitters” formula and represents the pinnacle of classic cocktail culture.

History

Created in the 1920s by Erskine Gwynne, this cocktail was named after his magazine “The Boulevardier.” It’s essentially a whiskey-based Negroni and has become a classic in its own right.

Flavor Profile

This cocktail showcases the rich, warming character of bourbon enhanced by herbal sweet vermouth and bitter Campari. The combination creates a sophisticated aperitif with layers of sweetness, bitterness, and herbal complexity that evolves as you drink.

Tips for Success

  • Use a high-quality bourbon for the best results
  • Sweet vermouth should be fresh and of good quality
  • Campari is essential for the bitter component
  • Stir for exactly 30 seconds for proper dilution

Variations

  • Smoky Boulevardier: Use a smoky bourbon for added complexity
  • Herbal Boulevardier: Add a few drops of herbal bitters

Tags

#bourbon #classic #bitter #stirred

Source: Classic cocktail