The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that is similar to an Old Fashioned, but made with bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Here is a recipe for making a Boulevardier:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
- In a mixing glass, add the bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
- Enjoy your Boulevardier!
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that has a unique balance of flavors, the sweet vermouth and orange peel gives a sweetness, the bitter Campari gives a bitter and the bourbon gives a whiskey taste. It is typically served in a coupe glass or a rocks glass over ice.
Note: As with all cocktails, feel free to adjust the ingredients to your personal taste. Some people may prefer more or less Campari or sweet vermouth depending on how bitter or sweet they like their drinks.
Boulevardier History
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that originated in the 1920s, in Paris, France. The drink was first mentioned in print in 1927, in an American expat magazine called “Esquire”. The cocktail was created by an American expatriate named Harry McElhone, who owned a bar in Paris called Harry’s New York Bar. The name “Boulevardier” refers to a man who frequents the grand boulevards of Paris, and is a nod to the drink’s origins in the city of light.
The Boulevardier is similar to another classic cocktail, the Negroni, but it is made with whiskey instead of gin. This drink quickly became popular among the expat community and the literary set in Paris, and it was brought back to the United States by returning expats.
During the prohibition era, the Boulevardier popularity waned, but it was rediscovered in the 1950s and 1960s and has remained a popular choice among whiskey lovers and cocktail enthusiasts.
Nowadays, the Boulevardier is considered as a classic cocktail, it has a unique balance of flavours, and it is considered a variation of the Old Fashioned, but with the addition of Campari and sweet vermouth. It is a popular choice among those who enjoy a drink that has a balance of sweetness, bitterness, and whiskey flavour.
Boulevardier Variations
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail with a simple recipe, but it can be easily modified to suit different tastes. Some popular variations of the Boulevardier include:
- Boulevardier Sour: This variation adds an egg white to the drink, giving it a frothy texture and a richer mouthfeel.
- Manhattan Boulevardier: This variation uses Rye whiskey instead of bourbon, giving the drink a spicier flavour.
- White Boulevardier: This variation uses white whiskey instead of bourbon, giving the drink a unique flavor and a clear color.
- Spiced Boulevardier: This variation adds spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice to the drink, giving it a warm and comforting flavour.
- Smoked Boulevardier: This variation uses a smoky whiskey or adds a smokey flavor to the drink by using a smoke infusing device.
- Aged Boulevardier: This variation uses an aged whiskey, such as a bourbon that has been aged for more than 10 years, giving the drink a more complex and richer flavour.
- Low-Proof Boulevardier: This variation uses lower-proof whiskey, such as a bourbon that is bottled at 80 proof instead of 90 proof, making the drink less strong but still flavourful.
These are just a few examples of the many ways that the Boulevardier can be modified. With a little creativity and experimentation, you can come up with your own unique variation of this classic cocktail.
Best Bourbon for a Boulevardier
The best bourbon brands for a Boulevardier depend on your personal taste. However, some popular choices include:
- Maker’s Mark: a well-rounded bourbon with notes of caramel and vanilla.
- Bulleit: a high-rye bourbon with a bold, spicy flavor.
- Four Roses: a smooth bourbon with notes of caramel and fruit.
- Woodford Reserve: a bourbon with a complex flavor profile, featuring notes of caramel, chocolate, and spice.
- Knob Creek: a full-bodied bourbon with a strong oak flavor.
- Wild Turkey 101: a high-proof bourbon with a strong, bold flavor.
These are some of the most popular bourbon brands used for a Boulevardier, but you can experiment with different bourbons to find one that you like best. Remember that the best bourbon for a Boulevardier is the one that you enjoy the taste of.
