The Boulevardier: A Bittersweet Masterpiece

Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by David Michael

Boulevardier

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The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that combines the bold flavors of Campari, sweet vermouth, and bourbon. I like to think of The Boulevardier as the winter form of a Negroni.

The Boulevardier is a warm, bourbon based cocktail mellowed with sweet vermouth and enlivened with bittersweet Campari. Similar to a Negroni, the Boulevardier needs a little more bourbon to balance everything out. I like a 2:1:1 ratio of bourbon to the rest of the ingredients.

Boulevardier Recipe

2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce sweet vermouth
1 ounce Campari
Garnish: orange twist

In a mixing glass half filled with ice, combine the bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
Stir well.
Strain over ice in an old fashioned glass.
Garnish with orange twist.

For the garnish I like to use a larger twist to express more orange oils into the drink. Campari has a natural affinity to orange. Use a peeler to make orange peels that are the perfect ‘twists’ for this cocktail.

Be sure to check out The Boulevardier’s close cousins The Negroni and The Old Pal.

Browse all of our cocktail recipes in our Cocktail Recipe Index.

Recommended Products for the Boulevardier

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City Double Old Fashioned Glasses by Orrefors

I love these glasses. They are equally at home in a traditional environment, and work beautifully in a modern one also. They have a great heavy feel, and aren’t too big to hold. Just the right size at about 10 oz – perfect for this drink and many more. This is the glass I used in the Boulevardier photo above.

City Double Old Fashioned Glasses by Orrefors

Riedel Mixing Glass

Also featured in the photo above, I have been using the Riedel mixing glass for nearly all of my stirred cocktails. It’s a nice heavy glass that holds 22 ounces. Plenty of room to make two drinks at the same time – even doubles.

Riedel Mixing Glass

Japanese Style Jigger by A Bar Above

I’m so happy with my Japanese jigger. There are marks on the inside to get the perfect measure of just about any size. The conical design allows the lines to be clear and well spaced. This heavy duty stainless jigger is also dishwasher safe. Measuring out a Boulevardier couldn’t be any easier with this.

A Bar Above Premium Japanese Jigger with 8 Measurements Inside - Rolled Lip, Double Jigger for Bartending & Measuring Cocktails - Professional & Heavy-Duty 304 Stainless Steel Cocktail Jigger 1oz/ 2oz

Stainless Bar Spoon by Barfly

I prefer these stainless steel barspoons from Barfly. They are high quality commercial grade. They come in a great selection of finishes, but stainless is what I always go for. Makes stirring your Boulevardier effortless and elegant.

Stainless Bar Spoon by Barfly

Stainless Julep Strainer by Barfly

I love this julep style strainer. It’s just the right size for the Riedel mixing glass. I have the stainless, but it’s available in several great finishes.

Stainless Julep Strainer by Barfly

White Linen Cocktail Napkins

The perfect finishing touch. I love these classic hemstitched linen napkins. You can never have too many white linen napkins, and these come in an amazing assortment of colors too.

Solino Home Linen Cocktail Napkins 6 x 6 Inch – 100% Pure Linen Fabric White Napkins for Coaster, Parties, Beverage, Dining – Set of 12, Handcrafted from European Flax – Classic Hemstitch

Ceramic Peeler

This Kyocera ceramic peeler is what I use to get the wide strips of orange to garnish the Boulevardier. It’s really sharp and makes thin orange peels that don’t have any white pith.

Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Horizontal Y Peeler

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