Boulevardier

1 1⁄2 oz Bourbon
1 oz Campari
1 oz Sweet vermouth
1 Maraschino cherry (as garnish)
Instructions

Stir, strain, straight up, cocktail glass

Notes

Bracingly bitter, particularly with the Carpano Antica.

History

A great cocktail, but the modernized 1794 is even better.

Cocktail summary
Posted by Dan on
Created by
Signature cocktail of Erskine Gwynne, writer and socialite, nephew of Vanderbilt
Year
1930's
Is an
authentic recipe
Reference

Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails; 1794: http://www.kindredcocktails.com/cocktail/1794

Curator
4 stars
Average
4.5 stars
(78 ratings)
YieldsDrink
Cocktail Book
Log in or sign up to start building your Cocktail Book.
From other users
  • Split Campari to Campari and Aperol to cut down a little on the bitterness for She Who Must Be Obeyed.
  • Prefer Death & Co version (see other user's comment) Lemon twist is alternate garnish
  • I like a more whiskey forward version from Death & Company: 1.5 Bourbon, .75 campari, .75 vermouth. It's still pretty bitter, can halve the campari with averna for a smoother version. Regardless, best with a large cube.
  • Slightly challenging, the sweet vermouth and whiskey moderate the Campari.
  • 2:1:1
  • 1/26/18 at Grille 29 Nice drink
  • Serve on the rocks. The process of dilution makes for a very pleasant sipping experience.
  • Used star anise-infused Campari, del Professore and Wild Turkey 101.
  • The classic ratio 1:1:1 makes this drink better
  • 1/4/18: 1.5 oz Old Grand Dad 100 proof, 1 oz Cocchi vermouth, 1 oz Campari, orange peel
Similar cocktails
  • Boulevard des Rêves — Bourbon, Sweet vermouth, Campari, Rum
  • 1795 — Rye, Campari, Aperol, Sweet vermouth, Bitters
  • Boulevardier 12 — Bourbon, Sweet vermouth, Campari, Amaro, Chocolate bitters, Herbal liqueur, Orange peel
  • The Adams — Bourbon, Campari, Sweet vermouth, Kummel, Bitters
  • Novecento — Cognac, Sweet vermouth, Campari, Maraschino Liqueur, Bitters, Peychaud's Bitters, Lemon juice, Lemon peel
  • Bitter Suicide — Bourbon, Bigallet China-China, Sweet vermouth, Campari, Fernet Branca, Bitters, CioCiaro
  • Bitter Chocolatier — Rye, Campari, Amaro, Sweet vermouth, Crème de Cacao, Bitters, Orange peel
  • Boulevardier (Cure version) — Rye, Sweet vermouth, Campari, Orange peel
  • The Bellman — Rye, Sweet vermouth, Gran Classico, Bitters, Bigallet China-China, Orange peel
  • Chorrizo's Boulevardier Jaboneria — Scotch, Campari, Sweet vermouth, Lemon bitters
Comments
Dan commented on 10/29/2011:

Curated to standardize formatting and to refer to the improved 1494.

Try a Boulevardon: switch the campari for averna amaro--it's much less bitter and pulls the roasted flavors out of the bourbon. I also add Bittercube Cherrybark Vanilla bitters

This is a great cocktail, but I recommend it on the rocks. It's easier to enjoy for newcomers to Campari, and anyway the change in taste as it dilutes is really interesting and enjoyable.

My favourite amari / vermouth based cocktail. I use either bourbon or rye (or rum). Most vermouths work but I prefer to use Carpano Antica.

I batch bottle it in the ratio 2:1:1 - I keep it in the fridge & drink it over ice with a quick finger stir.

There are lots of variations, IMO good additions include:

- either an orange twist or lemon twist

- Averna (sub for the vermouth - I've not found other amari work as well)

- Orange bitters

- Chocolate bitters

- Hellfire bitters

- Coffee liqueur