What is it?

Heavily related to the Negroni, the Boulevardier uses two of the same ingredients – vermouth and Campari, and then substitutes the gin with bourbon.

History

The creation of this classic cocktail is credited to Erskine Gwynne, an American who moved to Paris in the heady days of the late 1920s to start a literary magazine called Boulevardier, and was also proprietor of the legendary Harry’s New York Bar.

Why Bourbon?

Rather than the sharp bitterness associated with the Negroni, the substitution of bourbon adds a woody sweetness and smoothness to the cocktail.

Which Bourbon

Amidst today’s craft cocktail renaissance, bartenders select premium spirits to add depth of flavour and complexity, particularly for classic cocktails made with minimum ingredients. In the case of the three ingredient Boulevardier, it’s definitely quality over quantity so you’re going to want to choose a bourbon with intense and multifaceted notes for extra character.

For our Boulevardier shoot we used Jim Beam Double Oak, a bourbon that’s twice barrel matured – first in charred American white oak barrels and then in a freshly charred barrel, to add a rich intensity, smooth taste and spiced oakiness to this cocktail classic, (recipe below).