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Boulevardier

By Erik Lombardo • January 15, 2014 • 4 Comments

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Author Notes: On the surface, the Boulevardier appears to be nothing more than a Negroni with the gin swapped for bourbon, and indeed it’s a great gateway cocktail for a bourbon drinker to get into the genre of aperitif-driven cocktails. But rather than the similarities, it’s the differences from the Negroni that make the Boulevardier special. First off, there is a higher proportion of base spirit: Rather than the familiar 1:1:1 Negroni ratio, the Boulevardier uses a 2:1:1 ratio, allowing the richness and natural sweetness of the bourbon to tame the bitterness of campari. Round it out with a substantial vermouth (like Carpano Antica) and there is no denying that the Boulevardier punches above its weight. —Erik Lombardo

Serves 1

1 1/2 ounces bourbon
3/4 ounce Campari
3/4 ounce sweet vermouth

Stir all ingredients with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. (Some choose to do this over ice.) Traditional garnish is a cherry, but an orange or lemon twist does no harm.