Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe (with Easy Step-by-Step Video)

Let me offer a little assistance here. This cocktail is pronounced “bull-liv-ard-ee-ay”. We think you're going to love this Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe.

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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. 🥃

Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe

Recipe by Julian Solorzano
5.0 from 2 votes

The Boulevardier is a sophisticated cocktail that combines whiskey (either bourbon or rye), Campari, and sweet vermouth in equal parts, creating a complex and beautifully balanced drink that’s simultaneously bitter, sweet, and smooth.

Course: Rocks (Old-Fashioned) Glass, Coupe GlassCuisine: Classic CocktailDifficulty: Easy
Serving

1

servings
Calories

225

kcal
Total time

2

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Ounce Bourbon or Rye Whiskey

  • 1 Ounce Campari

  • 1 Ounce Sweet Vermouth

  • 1 Orange or lemon coin or twist (garnish)

Directions

  • Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice.
  • Pour in the whiskey, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
  • Stir continuously for 30 seconds until well-chilled.
  • Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass over a large ice cube.
  • Garnish with an orange twist, expressing the oils over the drink before placing it in the glass.

Equipment

Notes

  • Compared to the Negroni, you’ll find that the Boulevardier is slightly less bitter and a little more sweet, and therefore more popular among Americans, with the Negroni more popular amongst Europeans. 
  • Although the recipe calls for equal parts for all ingredients, some people enjoy bumping up their whiskey to 1.50oz. Again, it is entirely up to you.
  • For a more intense orange flavor, flame the orange peel over the drink before garnishing.
  • Store vermouth in the refrigerator after opening to maintain freshness.

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.   

Gustave caillebotte - jour de pluie a paris - boulevardier cocktail recipe.
Gustave caillebotte jour de pluie a paris

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.

Jedain crimson cocktail 2.
Written by Jedain Arron, Founder and writer

Hey there! 👋 I'm Jedain, a 30-something-year-old Cocktail enthusiast from Columbus, Ohio. I've fallen head over heels for the art of crafting cocktails, with a particular passion for anything whiskey-based. (Bourbon has captured my heart).

This blog documents my adventures in mixology (shakers, stirrers, and all). Follow along as I explore classic and contemporary cocktail recipes, share my favorite Bourbon discoveries, and chronicle my journey through the world of craft spirits and cocktail creation.

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Edited by Nick Eggert, Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail. When not working on the site, you can find him sipping Bourbon at the karaoke bar.

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2 thoughts on “Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe (with Easy Step-by-Step Video)<h2 class="post-excerpt">Let me offer a little assistance here. This cocktail is pronounced “bull-liv-ard-ee-ay”. We think you're going to love this Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe.</h2>”

    • 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.

      Reply

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