Some of the classics have adjacent cocktails that are so well crafted they live on to this day. Perhaps few cocktails have as many nearly identical templates as the Negroni. This classic is a mix of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. The two most adjacent compliments are the Old Pal (made with rye and dry vermouth) and the Boulevardier, made with bourbon.
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is one of the unforgettable classics that exemplifies balance. The start of sweetness shows the notes of baking spices and toasted oak. The sweetness gradually transitions to bitter notes, showing the herbal character of the vermouth and Campari. The mix is earthy and comforting, giving a hint of warmth to the drink. The play of spice, sweet, and bitter is accentuated by the lemon garnish.
Drink Notes & Recommendations
Boulevardiers have a plethora of variations. The most classic of all Boulevardiers is a 1 to 1 to 1 ratio of Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, and Campari on the rocks with a twist of orange. The drink evolved, with 2:1:1 ratios cropping to help give the whiskey some visibility in the drink. Over time preference crept in regarding orange versus lemon as a garnish, with some feeling the lemon gave more visual separation and a brighter flavor. The final frontier involves some suggesting this classic be served up in a coupe. In our experience, all of these variations still make an acceptable drink, and you should tinker to find your preference.
- Bourbon – Campari is a powerhouse of a flavor, and your bourbon should correspond. Wheated bourbons will add more sweetness here, but may lose some ground to the Campari. We used Elijah Craig Small Batch for ours, but have found that Wild Turkey 101 or Old Granddad 114 can make excellent Boulevardiers.
- Sweet Vermouth – Just like bourbon, Sweet Vermouth needs an edge here. For that reason we recommend Carpano Antica. Feel free to substitute your favorite vermouth.
- Campari – For the classic, there is no substitute. Use Campari.
- Garnish – Orange or lemon is acceptable. In an up preparation, consider a luxardo cherry.
- Glassware – A rocks glass is the classic choice.
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