Boulevardier

We're sorry Ballantines.com won't work in this browser

Choosing the best whisky for a Boulevardier

A traditional Boulevardier recipe uses sweet bourbon. But there’s no rules when it comes to picking the best whisky. If you like it, it works. Many variations use rye, scotch or blended whisky to create a sweeter or spicier drink. Here at Ballantine’s we use our smooth, sweet 10 Year Old scotch to balance the Campari’s bitter edge and enhance the complex flavours of the cocktail. It’s a real crowd-pleaser.

Is a Boulevardier the same as Negroni?

The Boulevardier and Negroni are practically cousins. If you like one, you’re bound to like the other. Both share the sweet, bitter flavour of Campari and vermouth (or in our case, Byrrh). The difference is in the base. Negronis are made with gin, whereas a Boulevardier uses whisky to get that signature smoky, smooth serve.

Since they’re both staple cocktails, there’s been many twists on a classic Negroni and Boulevardier over the years. Some call a Boulevardier a scotch Negroni. However you name it, do it with Ballantine’s. Discover more Negroni variations to make your way.

Boulevardier: a cocktail history lesson

American in Paris cocktail edition; the Boulevardier first entered the cocktail scene in the French capital circa 1927. But it was a writer from the States who gave it a name. Socialite, publisher and regular at the renowned Harry’s Bar, Erskine Gwynne dubbed his signature drink after his magazine for expats during the Prohibition era. Loosely translating to man-about-town, you could say he subconsciously named the Boulevardier after himself.