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    Recipes » Drinks » Cocktail Recipes

    Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe

    Published: Jun 16, 2016 · Modified: Aug 13, 2019 by Marissa Stevens · 25 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Boulevardier Cocktails served on a silver platter

    On a recent trip to Seattle, a friend introduced us to something new, two things actually: giant ice cubes and the Boulevardier Cocktail. A giant ice cube melts much slower than its dice-size counterparts, keeping your drink cold longer without watering it down. The Boulevardier is a riff on a classic Negroni, swapping whiskey for gin.

    Boulevardier Cocktails served

    Classic Negronis are made with a simple 1:1:1 ratio of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth and I'll never forget how we came to love them.

    Jump to:
    • Boulevardier Cocktail History
    • How to Make a Boulevardier Cocktail
    • Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    We arrived in Venice, Italy with suitcases full of long sleeve shirts, sweaters and jeans; it was September after all. But the weather had other plans - heat and humidity that demanded shorts, sandals and t-shirts. It was during that first week of our trip that we discovered both the Negroni and the Campari Spritz (or Aperol Spritz). In the late afternoon (and sometimes not so late), you would find us at a table outside, people watching and sipping one of these refreshing cocktails. Okay, sometimes we had beer, but you get the idea. 😉

    venice-cold-beer-and-prosecco

    At home, on a hot summer evening that calls for a cocktail, you're most likely to find us sipping a Peach Bellini (Venice, Italy's, Harry's Bar made it famous!), the Ultimate Gin and Tonic or a French 75 Cocktail. But we liked these cocktails well enough to add them to the rotation.  I thought we had a full drink repertoire, but this Boulevardier cocktail recipe is a worthy addition. It's just as refreshing as the Negroni, but a little less bitter - smooth, balanced.

    Boulevardier Cocktail History

    An American-born writer, Erskine Gwynne, is credited as the creator of the Boulevardier Cocktail, named after the monthly magazine he wrote in Paris during the late 1920's and early 1930's called (you guessed it) Boulevardier. Instead of the gin you'll find in a Negroni, whiskey (bourbon or rye) is the primary ingredient in the Boulevardier.

    The definition of boulevardier, according to Merriam-Webster is: a frequenter of the Parisian boulevards; broadly : man-about-town. That sounds about right. And, if you're wondering, it's pronounced: "bool-ah-vard-ee-ayy"

    How to Make a Boulevardier Cocktail

    Many recipes call for 1 ounce of whiskey, which coincides with the classic Negroni ratio, but I agree with Michael Ruhlman that 1.5 ounces of whiskey makes a tastier cocktail. For a single cocktails combine 1.5 ounces of whiskey, 1 once Campari, and 1 ounce sweet vermouth. Serve over ice (ideally over a giant ice cube) Some add a lemon twist, which is perfectly delicious, but I prefer a high quality maraschino cherry (or two).

    Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe

    Marissa Stevens
    A twist on the classic Negroni, swapping in whiskey for gin.
    5 from 3 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Drinks
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 205 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 ounces whiskey bourbon or rye
    • 1 ounce Campari
    • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
    • lemon twist or maraschino cherries for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Pour whiskey, Campari and sweet vermouth into a rocks glass with ice, or one giant ice cube. Stir to combine. (If you use a giant ice cube, you may want to stir alcohols together then add the ice cube for ease of stirring.)
    • Garnish with lemon twist or maraschino cherries. Serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gPotassium: 1mgSugar: 1gIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

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    • French 75 Cocktail

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sabrina says

      July 28, 2016 at 5:12 am

      Nice! This is actually one of my favorite cocktails, Marissa!

      Reply
    2. Kristen @ The Endless Meal says

      June 24, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      5 stars
      This is my all-time favourite cocktail! We always serve ours with an orange twist but I'm going to have to find some good maraschino cherries for next time. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 28, 2016 at 3:46 pm

        Really? That's so cool...I need to try it with an orange twist next time!

        Reply
    3. Kevin | Keviniscooking says

      June 22, 2016 at 11:01 am

      You know I don't drink alcohol, but these drinks... these photos... STELLAR! I mean really Marissa. Cheers!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:38 pm

        Wow, thank you so much, Kevin!! Means a lot coming from a terrific photographer like yourself.

        Reply
    4. Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says

      June 22, 2016 at 6:38 am

      5 stars
      So interesting about the giant ice cube, Marissa. I'm always complaining about watered-down drinks in the summer because I tend to sip slowly. (well, most days, lol) Love this drink and I'm crushing on your gorgeous photos!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:37 pm

        Thank you so much! And you've got to try the giant cube, Robyn. It works amazingly well even for non-boozy drinks. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says

      June 20, 2016 at 11:51 pm

      Oh em gee...I need this cocktail!! NEED! I sound like an alcoholic right now, but that's just what you've done here with your lovely recipe and photo <3 Look at those big ice cubes too - looks like a drink from a Bond movie. Can't wait to give this one a try as it's very warm here in California too and I could do with a nice refreshing cocktail. I just need to know where I can get in some nice Italian piazza people watching 😉

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:37 pm

        Come visit and I'll make you one - or better yet, we'll pop over to Italy and sit in a piazza together. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says

      June 19, 2016 at 10:56 pm

      I love cocktails with one big, glorious ice cube - SO cool (I'm easily amused) 😉 I'm totally loving this riff on the Negroni... and that color, just beautiful! Oh what I wouldn't give to be sipping one of these in a piazza in Italy!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:41 pm

        Believe me, I'm easily amused too. 🙂 About sipping in the piazza, agreed...

        Reply
    7. Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella says

      June 18, 2016 at 10:53 pm

      Love the styling of this Marissa! And I think I'd really like this cocktail too! I lovee Campari so this cocktail would definitely be for me!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:43 pm

        Thank you, Lorraine! I love Campari too - in Italy they always tried to serve me Aperol, you know because I'm a woman ;), but I love the herbaceousness of Campari.

        Reply
    8. Dorothy Dunton says

      June 17, 2016 at 3:29 pm

      Hi again Marissa! Meant to add to my comment above that frozen seedless grapes make great little ice cubes for wine, plus you get to snack on the grape! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:43 pm

        What a great idea, Dorothy! I make cucumber water in the summer for the same reason...I'll definitely try frozen grapes in a cocktail soon.

        Reply
    9. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says

      June 17, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      I definitely need to try those giant ice cubes! Such a simple, but GENIUS idea! I love that you discovered the Negroni in Italy - makes it even that more special! We don't drink alcohol, but if we did I know we'd be all over this one (no way could I say no to something that pretty, lol!). Happy weekend, my friend! xoxo

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:45 pm

        Thank you, sweet Faith! Yes, they're terrific for all kinds of drinks in the summer or even a glass of OJ in the morning. So nice to have a drink stay cool, but not be watered down.

        Reply
    10. Dorothy Dunton says

      June 17, 2016 at 11:54 am

      Hi Marissa! I'm more of a vodka person, but Gary is mostly a bourbon and gin guy. Big cubes are so much better. I hate it when I occasionally buy a bag of ice only to discover that the are hollow which means they start to melt almost instantly! During nice weather we have cocktail hour on the "veranda" (our back deck). 🙂
      Have a great weekend!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:45 pm

        I'll put it on my bucket list to join you on your veranda for a cocktail hour one day. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Helen @ Scrummy Lane says

      June 17, 2016 at 9:29 am

      I love the 'one giant ice cube' idea, Marissa - who knew!

      And I do love that you post cocktail recipes too. Just as soon as (if?) we get some good weather, I know where to come for all my cocktail tips!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:47 pm

        Thank you, Helen. 🙂 We've had some crazy weather here too - it's the middle of June and we had a night below freezing last week.

        Reply
    12. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

      June 16, 2016 at 9:58 pm

      5 stars
      this cocktail looks incredible! i seriously wish i had some hot weather and a cocktail in hand right now. love it Xx

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:47 pm

        Thank you, Thalia! Crossing my fingers for some hot weather to come your way soon. xo

        Reply
    13. Mila furman says

      June 16, 2016 at 2:53 pm

      OMG this looks so GOOD! I do love me some gin but the hubs is a bourbon and whiskey guy so this pleases both palettes 🙂 And OMG when our guy friends suddenly made the switch to whiskey and scotch a few years back...all of them started making the giant ice cubes and ICE BALLS...and they even compared who's was clearer...newsflash if you first boil the water then pour it in you get super clear cubes... This is what these men spend their time researching 🙂 ANYhow...looks gorgeous as always!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:48 pm

        That is too funny! Now I know where to come for my ice cube advice. 😉 I would never have guessed that boiling would make a difference.

        Reply

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