Drink More Bourbon recipe
Bourbon Boulevardier
A bittersweet, spirit-forward combination of bourbon, sweet vermouth and Italian red bitter aperitif.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Orange peel, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, sweet vermouth and Campari to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir until chilled and diluted.
- Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass and garnish with an orange peel.
Best bourbon style
A robust, higher-proof bourbon stands up well to the bitterness of Campari and the richness of vermouth.
Tips and substitutions
For a more bourbon-forward drink, increase the bourbon to 2 ounces while keeping the other ingredients at 1 ounce each.
About this cocktail
The Bourbon Boulevardier is rich, bittersweet and built for slow sipping. Bourbon brings warmth, vanilla, oak and a little sweetness, while sweet vermouth adds body, spice and a wine-like depth. Campari gives the drink its signature bitter orange edge, keeping the cocktail from feeling too heavy or sweet. The result is spirit-forward but balanced: bold enough for bourbon drinkers, yet layered enough for anyone who enjoys a Negroni-style profile. It works especially well before dinner, when its bitterness can wake up the palate, but it is just as comfortable as an after-dinner drink thanks to its rounded texture and warming finish. This is a great cocktail for cooler evenings, relaxed hosting, or any time you want something stirred, strong and uncomplicated.
Choosing your bourbon
A robust bourbon is the best fit here because Campari and sweet vermouth both bring strong personalities. Look for something in the 90- to 110-proof range if you want the whiskey to stay present after stirring and dilution. A higher-rye bourbon can add pepper, spice and dryness, which helps sharpen the drink’s bittersweet finish. A wheated bourbon will make the cocktail feel softer and rounder, with more emphasis on caramel and vanilla. Bourbons with noticeable oak, baking spice, orange peel or dark cherry notes tend to work especially well, since those flavors echo the vermouth and bitter aperitif without getting lost.
Make it your own
To make the drink a little drier, choose a less sweet, more herbal vermouth or slightly reduce the vermouth while keeping the Boulevardier structure intact. For a fuller, richer version, use a vermouth with deeper spice and dark fruit notes. If you prefer the bourbon to lead, the existing option of increasing the bourbon to 2 ounces while keeping the vermouth and Campari at 1 ounce each is a smart adjustment. You can also play with the garnish: an expressed orange peel is classic, but a flamed orange peel adds a deeper aromatic note. Keep the drink stirred rather than shaken to preserve its smooth, spirit-forward texture.
Serving tips
Serve this cocktail over one large ice cube if possible; it chills the drink while slowing dilution. A rocks glass is ideal, but a chilled coupe also works if you prefer it served up. Stir until the mixing glass feels cold and the drink has softened slightly—proper dilution is what ties the bourbon, vermouth and Campari together. Express the orange peel over the glass before dropping it in or resting it on the rim. For batching, combine the liquid ingredients in advance and keep chilled, then stir individual servings with ice before serving.
