How to Make a Boulevardier

The Boulevardier cocktail takes a Negroni and replaces the gin with bourbon. With only three ingredients, it couldn’t be easier.

As a bourbon lover and a Negroni fan, I was bound to love the Boulevardier. Smooth as silk, spicy as well as sweet, plus the bitter sting at the end. It’s a gorgeous looking auburn cocktail and you can have it straight up or on the rocks.

Where was the Boulevardier born

Born out of the Prohibition, The Boulevardier was first mentioned in Harry’ MacElhone’s classic cocktail book,  ABC of Mixing Cocktails, published in the 1920’s.

MacElhone set up shop in Paris at Harry’s New York Bar, a haven for bartenders who had to leave the USA during the dry spell what was Prohibition. One day Erskine Gwynne walked in and asked for “1/3 Campari, 1/3 Italian vermouth, 1/3 Bourbon whisky.”

Now this Mr. Gwynne wasn’t just anybody; he was the publisher of a hip magazine of the time, called, (can you guess?), Boulevardier! The name of the cocktail stuck and has remained the same since that time. Don’t forget to pronounce it the French way – with the -ier part sounding like yay!

The recipe has been slightly tweaked since then, but you can have it anyway you like, of course!

Ingredients for the Boulevardier

Don’t think that by substituting bourbon for gin that you have the same cocktail. They are world’s apart. The bourbon adds a warmth and depth that you can’t get with the gin. I would say order the Negroni in the Spring or Fall, but the Boulevardier is pure winter.

• Whiskey – Traditionally made with bourbon or rye whiskey. Rye adds spiciness, while bourbon offers a sweeter profile.
• Sweet Vermouth – A fortified wine that adds depth and sweetness.
• Campari – An Italian aperitif with a signature bitter and citrus flavor.
• Ice – For mixing and chilling the drink.
• Garnish: A twist of orange peel or a luxardo cherry to enhance the aromatic and visual appeal.

Bourbon vs Rye

I love my bourbon, so given the choice, it’s going to be bourbon every time. Bourbon tends to be much sweeter than Rye. Rye gives it a bite and it tends to be much spicier. Make a mini-Boulevardier of each and see what you think!

What is Campari

Another reason I prefer the Boulevardier with bourbon instead of Rye is that Campari gives it tons of bite. Campari is an Italian bitter spirit that is super spicy. I do love it and that’s why I love a Negroni as well. Don’t be afraid of it. It works so well with all kinds on cocktails.

What is Sweet Vermouth

There are two types of vermouth: dry and sweet. Vermouth is a fortified wine. Fortified wines are wines that have had additional ingredients added to give flavor. You use both in cocktail making. Dry vermouth shows up in all types of Martinis, while Sweet is for the Manhattans, Negronis and Boulevardiers!

Where to find ingredients for Gibson Martini cocktails

You can find all the ingredients at Spirits Kiosk (10% off the entire site by quoting this code: ALushLife10SK.) in the UK; or Saucey.com in the USA!

How to make the Boulevardier

This cocktail is on the easy side to make, since it only has three ingredients. No shaking is required because it’s “stirred down” in a mixing glass which means you only have add the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and you’ve made it!

If you don’t have a mixing glass handy, then you can just make it in your glass.

• Mixing Glass – For stirring and combining the ingredients.
• Bar Spoon – Essential for proper stirring to chill and dilute the drink evenly.
• Jigger – For measuring the precise quantities of each ingredient.
• Strainer – To strain the cocktail into the serving glass, leaving ice behind.
• Rocks Glass or Coupe – Traditionally served in a rocks glass over a large ice cube, but it can also be served in a coupe glass without ice.
• Peeler or Knife – For creating an orange twist garnish.
• Ice Cube Mold (Optional) – To make a large, slow-melting ice cube if serving in a rocks glass.

You can find our more about all these tools and where to find them at Home Bar Essentials!

Variations on the Boulevardier

The Boulevardier’s classic recipe of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Campari provides a versatile foundation for experimentation. By adjusting ingredients or introducing new elements, you can create exciting variations to suit different palates. Here are some creative twists on the traditional Boulevardier:

The White Boulevardier

Swap the whiskey for a white spirit like gin or blanco tequila. Use white vermouth instead of sweet vermouth, and replace Campari with a lighter aperitif such as Suze or Cocchi Americano for a brighter, herbaceous profile.

The Smoky Boulevardier

Introduce a smoky element by substituting part or all of the whiskey with mezcal or a peated Scotch whisky. This variation layers complex, smoky flavors with the drink’s bittersweet base.

The Coffee Boulevardier

Add depth by incorporating coffee liqueur, such as Mr. Black or Kahlúa, in equal parts with the Campari and vermouth. This variation pairs especially well with bourbon.

The Amaro Boulevardier

Experiment with different amari in place of Campari, such as Montenegro, Cynar, or Averna, to explore nuanced bitter flavors. Each substitution offers a unique take on the classic cocktail.

These variations allow you to customize the Boulevardier while preserving its signature bittersweet charm. Whether smoky, sparkling, or spiced, each version offers a fresh perspective on this enduring classic.

Looking for more Bourbon cocktail recipes? Try one of these:

Here is the recipe:

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