S2E7 // "Boulevardier" [Classic Variation]

Gin wasn’t always a spirit I enjoyed. I only acquired the taste for it in the past year and a half. I was and still am a whiskey-first kind of drinker. If that’s also the case for you, then you may prefer this week’s “Classic Variation” over the original Negroni. We will be swapping out the gin for bourbon in a drink called the “Boulevardier”. Even though the Boulevardier is no longer an equal parts cocktail like the classic Negroni, it still has the same three components: a base spirit, a bitter liqueur, and an aromatized wine. The only difference is the substitution of bourbon.

The Boulevardier shares its name with a Parisian magazine. Both were created by the same man, Erskinne Gwynne, around the 1920s. The drink then first appeared in Harry McElhone’s bar guide, Barflies and Cocktails. From there, the Boulevardier became a widely popular variation on the Negroni.

Bourbon brings a rich, earthiness to the drink, while gin would bring a more floral and crisp flavor profile. Bourbon makes the drink linger on the palate longer, giving the Boulevardier more body than its Negroni cousin. It reminds me of a Manhattan that is elevated with a bitter complexity. The Boulevardier isn’t as balanced as the Negroni, but its darker character is perfect for cooler weather. It could be considered as a seasonal Negroni, perhaps best enjoyed in the fall.

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