What does a Boulevardier taste like?
A Boulevardier tastes like a warmer, rounder Negroni: bourbon or rye with Campari and sweet vermouth, so it is bittersweet orange over caramel, oak and spice.
Boulevardier
bitter, boozy and cozy
A Boulevardier is bourbon or rye, Campari and sweet vermouth, stirred and served up or on the rocks. It's a Negroni with whiskey instead of gin, and that swap changes the mood: where a Negroni is bright and piney, a Boulevardier is cozier, with caramel, vanilla and baking spice from the whiskey. Campari's bitter orange is still there, but the whiskey's sweetness softens it. Many bars use a little more whiskey than the other two, which makes it smoother. It's strong, sippable and great in cold weather.
Where you’ll see it
On classic cocktail menus, served up in a coupe or over a big cube with an orange peel. Some menus call it a whiskey Negroni.
Order it if you like a Negroni but want something warmer, or a Manhattan with more bite.
Quick questions
- What's the difference between a Boulevardier and a Negroni?
- A Boulevardier uses whiskey instead of gin, so it tastes rounder and warmer, with caramel and spice and slightly less bitter.
- Is a Boulevardier strong?
- Yes. It's all spirits and vermouth, no mixer, so it's on the strong end of the menu.