Step aside, Negroni – your sophisticated French cousin has entered the chat! 🇫🇷 The Boulevardier (that’s bool-luh-var-dee-ay for the uninitiated) is what happens when you swap gin for whiskey and add a dash of Parisian attitude.
This crimson beauty is serving main character energy with every sip! Just like the Negroni, the Boulevardier is one of my favorites. It is easy to make and easy to drink. 🥃
History of the Boulevardier
The story goes that the Boulevardier was invented by Erskine Gwynne, an ex-pat American publisher of “Boulevardier,” a Parisian newsletter during the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Boulevardier translates directly to “person who frequents boulevards” but has taken on the meaning of a socialite, a man about town, a Bon Vivant, or a sociable person who has cultivated and refined tastes, especially with respect to food and drink.

The Boulevardier emerged during the golden age of cocktails, born in Paris during the 1920s. 🎭 Unlike its gin-based cousin, this whiskey-forward cocktail was the signature drink of Erskine Gwynne, an American expatriate who ran a monthly magazine called – you guessed it – “The Boulevardier.”
The term “boulevardier” itself refers to a sophisticated man-about-town, someone who frequented the grand boulevards of Paris. This cocktail lives up to its name – it’s refined, complex, and unapologetically cosmopolitan.
The drink perfectly encapsulates the Jazz Age sophistication of Paris, when American expatriates flocked to the City of Light seeking artistic inspiration and cultural revolution. 🎨 Think The Great Gatsby meets Midnight in Paris, served in a glass.
What Are the Best Ingredients for A Boulevardier?
Rye whiskey has a slightly spicer note to it than bourbon, which has a sweeter taste. Both can be used for the Boulevardier and depends only on what your palette prefers. If you’re going to use rye whiskey, we recommend using Bulleit Rye whiskey.



Final Thoughts
Sipping a Boulevardier is like taking a first-class ticket to the romance of 1920s Paris! 🌟 Whether you’re team bourbon or team rye, this timeless cocktail proves that some classics never go out of style.
So channel your inner sophisticate, put on some jazz, and transport yourself to a Parisian café – no passport required!
If you want to know more about cocktails from the 1920s, click here to check out our post. Which one do you prefer, the Negroni or the Boulevardier? Do you prefer making the Boulevardier with rye or with bourbon? Let us know in the comments below. As always, remember to stay home, stay safe, and get hammered.
Your directions incorrectly include Gin instead of rye whiskey. Big fan of the Boulevardier!!!
Hi John, Thank you so much for catching that! You are the hero of the hour. I went ahead and made the correction. I too love the Boulevardier. It’s one of my favorite cocktails. Don’t forget to signup for our mailing list. All the best.