The Boulevardier is a delicious classic bourbon cocktail! With only three ingredients: bourbon, sweet vermouth and Campari, it's as easy to make as it is to drink!
When I was younger and would go to bars to go dancing, my drink of choice was a gin and tonic. It was light and refreshing, perfect for drinking when I would back to the bar to take a break from dancing.
Now, that I'm older and most of my sipping is done on back porches or sitting in my comfy chair watching the latest and greatest on Netflix, I find myself drawn to deeper, richer cocktails.
Cocktails that you sip and savor. My favorite is a Negroni. A Negroni is simply gin, sweet vermouth and Campari.
The Boulevardier recipe is a classic that first appeared in print in the 1920's. It is a riff on a Negroni with bourbon taking the place of the gin. It is so good. Rich and earthy.
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Ingredients
Sweet Vermouth - whenever a recipe calls for sweet vermouth we use Carpano Antica Formula. Vermouth is a fortified wine and the Carpano website is really interesting to read more about it.
Bourbon - we used our go to cocktail bourbon - a small batch Elijah Craig. A rye whiskey is also a good option.
Campari - this is a bitter Italian liqueur that is a must for any well stocked bar! For a pretty refreshing cocktail, try our Campari Cocktail with Ruby Grapefruit.
Step by Step Directions
This cocktail is stirred, not shaken, so begin by filling a large mixing glass with ice and get out your bar spoon.
Pour 1 ½ ounces of bourbon over the ice.
Pour in ¾ ounce of vermouth and ¾ ounce of Campari.
Stir the cocktail for about 30 seconds until chilled and properly diluted.
Place a strainer over the glass and add ice to your cocktail glass.
Strain into cocktail glass.
Twist and orange peel and run it over the rim of the glass and then drop it into the drink.
How pretty is this cocktail?! I love the deep red brown color and even more I love the rich flavor.
Note that you can play around with the proportions of this drink. You can make it with equal parts of all the ingredients or you can do like we did and make it a little more whiskey forward.
I read on some site about making it a little more summery by using a strawberry infused vermouth - you know I will be trying that!
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More Bourbon Cocktails to Try
Horse's Neck Cocktail - super easy with ginger beer or ginger ale!
Kentucky Buck - ginger beer and muddle strawberries make this extra zingy and refreshing.
Blackberry Mint Julep - blackberries make a fun and fruity addition to a classic mint julep.
Double Cherry Old Fashioned - oh so delicious fruity take on an Old Fashioned!
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Recipe
Boulevardier Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
- ¾ ounce sweet vermouth
- ¾ ounce Campari
- orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Add ice to a mixing glass.
- Pour in bourbon, vermouth and Campari.
- Stir for 30 seconds or until chilled and diluted.
- Add ice to a rocks glass and strain cocktail into glass.
- Squeeze an orange peel over the glass and run it along the rim. Drop into the cocktail.
Heidy says
With the month I am having I could seriously go for about 5 Boulevardier Cocktails. These look so refreshing and inviting. I might have to make a booze cruise my next supply run. Pinning so I don't misplace this wonderful cocktail recipe.
Noelle says
Thank you for the great instructions for this recipe, made making it so much easier!!
Anita says
Simple and delicious. It's a great cocktail to end the day. 🙂
Candice says
I'm a bourbon lover, and had never had this before! I was missing out. So easy to make, love how few ingredients there are, and such a treat at the end of a long day. Great recipe and cocktail!
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
I love the orange hack. Looks good for enjoying the late evening!