If you’re looking for a modern twist on a classic cocktail for this year’s summer plans, look no further than the Boulevardier. This Parisian twist on a traditional old fashioned is refreshing and delightful, whether attending a family barbecue or enjoying a cold drink after a long day of yard work. You can also swap out a few of the ingredients to test out variations of the Boulevardier, helping you find your summer go-to drink.
What Is a Boulevardier?
A Boulevardier is a well-rounded, aromatic, and slightly bittersweet cocktail, perfect for sipping all summer long. Many Boulevardier recipes use bourbon, but some prefer whiskey’s robust, rich flavor. Boulevardier gets its name from an American writer who spent a lot of time in Paris publishing a news magazine called The Boulevardier.
A traditional Boulevardier is made using bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Most Boulevardiers use equal parts of each ingredient, but you can add more bourbon for a stronger punch. You can also add orange peels or cucumber slices to give your cocktail a fruitier taste that’s perfect for summer.
Tasty Boulevardier Recipes To Make This Summer
Here are a few of our favorite Boulevardier recipes to make this summer:
Negroni
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While the Boulevardier is often considered a twist on the Negroni, the Boulevardier actually appears first in print, meaning it may have been around longer. A Negroni is a Boulevardier with the bourbon replaced by gin. Although minimal, this ingredient swap significantly changes the flavor profile of this popular beverage.
You can make a Negroni by mixing equal parts dry gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Stir the mixed concoction in a glass with ice, then strain it into a different chilled glass with a single ice cube. Add a lemon peel for garnishment, and enjoy. The additional straining process of a Negroni dilutes and tones down the Campari, giving it a subtle herbal flavoring with a hint of gin.
Dry Negroni Cocktail
If you have a dryer palate, a Dry Negroni cocktail may be for you. A Dry Negroni cocktail offers the same rich taste as a traditional Negroni but without the sweet vermouth. Instead, it gives off a juniper taste with lemon undertones.
All you need to make a Dry Negroni is gin, vermouth, and Campari bitters. Pour equal parts ingredients into a rocks glass filled to the top with ice cubes. Stir the ingredients well and then garnish with a lemon wedge.
Hanky Panky
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A Hanky Panky is a delightful, sweet martini that easily excites the taste buds. Adding Fernet-Branca gives the Hanky Panky a bitter, sweet flavor profile that also gives off strong spice aromas.
Make a Hanky Panky at home using gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca. Mix 1 1/2 ounces gin, 1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth, and one to two dashes of Fernet-Branca into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until the contents are well-chilled and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist for an explosion of flavors.
Old Pal
The Old Pal cocktail is similar to a traditional Boulevardier but replaces the sweet vermouth with dry vermouth. This gives this tasty drink a flavor-intensive appeal with multiple herbs, fruits, and spices.
You can make an Old Pal using rye whiskey, Campari, and dry vermouth. Pour an ounce of your favorite rye whiskey, Campari, and dry vermouth into a mixing glass full of ice. Stir the contents until well mixed, and strain into a chilled glass. Some people may also add a single ice cube, which slowly tones down the drink over time. Add a lemon twist for garnishment.
Night Bird
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For a more rustic flavoring, try a Night Bird. This cocktail calls for rye whiskey, Averna, sweet vermouth, sage tincture, and a few cucumber slices. Press the fresh cucumber slices against the base of the glass using a pestle or muddler to extract the natural juices before adding the other ingredients.
Then, add 1 1/2 ounces of rye whiskey, a 1/2 ounce of Averna, and 1 ounce of sweet vermouth. Add in one to two dashes of sage tincture for flavoring. You can make your own sage tincture using 12 sage leaves and a cup of high-proof spirit. Let the tincture soak for up to 24 hours for the best taste.
Boulevardier is this year’s summer go-to drink. The bittersweet, spicy flavors pair perfectly with orange and lemon slices for a cocktail that cools and refreshes when in the summer heat. Keeping the ingredients on hand at home means you’ll always be ready for a delicious summer cocktail.
