The Boulevardier: a classic cocktail that never goes out of style. This variation on the Old Fashioned has been a favorite among mixologists and bartenders for decades, and its rich, complex flavor profile continues to inspire creativity in the world of mixology.
In this article, we’ll explore 19 unique takes on the traditional Boulevardier recipe, each with its own twist and flair. From smoky mezcal to spicy chili, and from bourbon-infused cherry to lavender-infused bitters, these recipes are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
So sit back, grab a shaker (or two), and get ready to shake things up with these 19 classic Boulevardier recipes – all with a twist!
Smoky Mezcal Boulevardier
This Smoky Mezcal Boulevardier cocktail is a twist on the classic Boulevardier, infused with smoky flavors from mezcal and Lapsang souchong tea. The result is a complex, savory drink that’s perfect for adventurous spirits.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon
– 1 oz mezcal
– 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes Lapsang souchong tea-infused bitters
– Orange twist or slice, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the bourbon, mezcal, and sweet vermouth.
3. Add 2 dashes of Lapsang souchong tea-infused bitters.
4. Stir for approximately 30 seconds to chill and dilute the ingredients.
5. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
6. Express a strip of orange peel over the drink, then use as garnish.
Cooking Time: None! This is a cocktail recipe, not a culinary dish.
Bourbon-Infused Cherry Boulevardier
A twist on the classic Boulevardier cocktail, this recipe infuses bourbon with cherry flavors to create a rich and complex drink.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon
– 1/2 oz cherry liqueur (such as Cherry Heering)
– 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
– 3 dashes Angostura bitters
– Cherry, for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, and maraschino liqueur.
2. Add ice to the mixing glass and stir for approximately 30-45 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
4. Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters on top of the drink.
5. Garnish with a cherry.
Cooking Time: None (cocktail preparation only)
Spiced Maple Boulevardier
Elevate your cocktail game with this rich and spicy twist on the classic Boulevardier. The combination of smoky bourbon, warm spices, and sweet maple syrup will transport you to a cozy winter evening.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon
– 1/2 oz Aperol
– 1/2 oz maple syrup
– 2 dashes of cinnamon bitters
– 1 dash of smoked paprika bitters (optional)
– Orange twist or slice, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add bourbon, Aperol, and maple syrup.
3. Add cinnamon and smoked paprika bitters (if using).
4. Stir for approximately 30 seconds to chill and combine ingredients.
5. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with an orange twist or slice.
Cooking Time: None
Orange Bitters Boulevardier
This modern take on the classic Boulevardier adds a burst of citrus flavor from orange bitters, making it a refreshing twist on a timeless cocktail.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz Whiskey (bourbon or rye work well)
– 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
– 1/2 oz Aperol
– 3 dashes Orange Bitters
– Orange peel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Aperol to the mixing glass.
3. Add orange bitters and stir for approximately 30 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or rocks glass filled with ice.
5. Express a strip of orange peel over the cocktail and use as garnish.
Cooking Time: None, just mix and serve!
Rosemary-Infused Boulevardier
Elevate your cocktail game with this herbaceous take on the Boulevardier, featuring the piney flavor of rosemary. This refreshing drink is perfect for warm weather or anytime you want to add some excitement to your bar.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon
– 1 oz Aperol
– 1 oz sweet vermouth
– 1/4 cup rosemary simple syrup (see below)
– Orange twist, for garnish
Rosemary Simple Syrup:
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup sugar
– 1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat over medium heat until dissolved.
2. Add rosemary leaves to the simple syrup and remove from heat. Let steep for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add bourbon, Aperol, sweet vermouth, and rosemary simple syrup.
4. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
5. Strain into a chilled glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with an orange twist.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes (for the rosemary simple syrup)
Black Walnut Boulevardier
This Black Walnut Boulevardier is a twist on the classic Boulevardier cocktail, featuring the rich flavors of black walnut liqueur. With its complex blend of bitter, sweet, and nutty notes, this drink is perfect for those who enjoy a sophisticated and nuanced cocktail experience.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye work well)
– 1 oz Aperol
– 1 oz black walnut liqueur
– 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– Angostura bitters
– Orange peel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add whiskey, Aperol, black walnut liqueur, and sweet vermouth to the mixing glass.
3. Add a dash of Angostura bitters.
4. Stir gently for approximately 30 seconds.
5. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
6. Express a strip of orange peel over the drink and use as garnish.
Cooking Time: None
Lavender-Infused Boulevardier
Elevate your cocktail game with this unique twist on the classic Boulevardier, infused with the soothing essence of lavender.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz Whiskey (bourbon or rye work well)
– 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
– 3 dashes Lavender Bitters
– Ice
– Orange peel (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and lavender bitters.
3. Stir the mixture for approximately 30 seconds to chill and combine the ingredients.
4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.
5. Garnish with an orange peel, if desired.
Cooking Time:
– Preparation time: 2 minutes
– Total time: 2-3 minutes
Boulevardier with Chocolate Bitters
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that gets a luxurious upgrade with the addition of chocolate bitters. This rich and velvety drink is perfect for those who love bold flavors.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye work well)
– 1/2 oz Aperol
– 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes chocolate bitters
– Orange twist, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey, Aperol, and sweet vermouth.
3. Add 2 dashes of chocolate bitters.
4. Stir for approximately 30 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
5. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
6. Garnish with an orange twist.
Cooking Time: None! This drink is ready in just minutes.
Smoked Orange Peel Boulevardier
Elevate your cocktail game with this innovative take on the Boulevardier, featuring the rich flavors of smoked orange peel. This unique twist is sure to impress at your next gathering.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye work well)
– 1 oz Aperol
– 1/2 oz smoked orange peel syrup (see below for recipe)
– Orange twist, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey, Aperol, and smoked orange peel syrup.
3. Stir for approximately 20-25 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with an orange twist.
Smoked Orange Peel Syrup Recipe:
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 cups orange peels (organic, preferably)
Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the orange peels and let steep for an additional 30 minutes. Strain and discard the solids. Store in an airtight container.
Cooking Time: None (simply mix and serve)
Vanilla Bean Boulevardier
Elevate your cocktail game with this unique take on the classic Boulevardier, featuring the warm and comforting flavors of vanilla bean. This sophisticated drink is perfect for sipping on a chilly evening or serving at a dinner party.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon whiskey
– 1 oz Aperol
– 1/2 oz vanilla syrup (see below)
– 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– Orange twist, for garnish
Vanilla Syrup:
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup sugar
– 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
Instructions:
1. Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat until sugar dissolves.
2. Add vanilla bean to the syrup and remove from heat. Let steep for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Strain syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
4. Add bourbon, Aperol, sweet vermouth, and vanilla syrup. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds.
5. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with an orange twist.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes (including steeping time)
Boulevardier with Fig Syrup
Elevate your cocktail game with this sweet and sophisticated twist on the classic Boulevardier, featuring fig syrup and a hint of warm spices.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon
– 1 oz Campari
– 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– 1/4 oz fig syrup
– Orange peel (optional)
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
3. Add 1-2 dashes of fig syrup (to taste).
4. Stir for approximately 30 seconds to chill and combine ingredients.
5. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with an orange peel, if desired.
Cooking Time: None – just mix and serve!
Spicy Chili Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that gets a bold and spicy makeover with the addition of chili-infused simple syrup. This recipe combines the warmth of whiskey, the spiciness of chili peppers, and the richness of chocolate to create a unique and complex flavor profile.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
– 1/2 oz chili-infused simple syrup (see below)
– 1/2 oz Aperol or other orange-flavored liqueur
– 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– 3 dashes of chocolate mole bitters (optional)
– Orange twist, for garnish
Chili-Infused Simple Syrup:
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1-2 dried arbol or guajillo chili peppers, crushed or 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine whiskey, chili-infused simple syrup, Aperol, and sweet vermouth.
2. Add ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Garnish with an orange twist and add chocolate mole bitters if desired.
Cooking Time: None, as this is a cocktail recipe!
Boulevardier with Coffee Liqueur
A twist on the classic Negroni, this Boulevardier variation adds a boost of caffeine and flavor with coffee liqueur. Perfect for those who like their drinks rich and complex.
Ingredients:
• 2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye work well)
• 1 oz Aperol
• 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
• 1/2 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa or Tia Maria)
• Orange twist, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey, Aperol, and sweet vermouth.
3. Stir for approximately 30 seconds to chill and dilute the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or rocks glass filled with one large ice cube.
5. Add the coffee liqueur and stir gently to combine.
6. Express an orange twist over the drink and use as garnish.
Cooking Time: None (a true “no-cook” cocktail!)
Earl Grey-Infused Boulevardier
Elevate your cocktail game with this unique twist on the classic Boulevardier, infused with the subtle bergamot flavors of Earl Grey tea.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon or whiskey
– 1 oz Aperol
– 1 oz sweet vermouth
– 1/2 oz Earl Grey syrup (see below)
– Lemon twist, for garnish
Earl Grey Syrup:
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 4 tea bags of Earl Grey black tea
– Let the mixture steep for at least 30 minutes to infuse the flavors. Strain and discard the tea bags before using.
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add bourbon, Aperol, sweet vermouth, and Earl Grey syrup.
3. Shake gently for about 10-15 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Cooking Time: None required! Just shake and serve.
Boulevardier with Blackberry Reduction
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that gets a sweet and tangy twist with the addition of blackberry reduction. This unique spin on the classic recipe is perfect for those looking to mix things up.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon
– 1 oz Aperol
– 1/2 oz blackberry reduction (see below)
– 3 dashes Angostura bitters
– Orange twist, for garnish
Blackberry Reduction:
– 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– Water, as needed
Instructions:
1. Combine blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
2. Heat over medium heat, mashing berries with a spoon until they release their juice and the mixture thickens.
3. Strain reduction through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids.
To make the cocktail:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add bourbon, Aperol, blackberry reduction, and bitters.
3. Stir for 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with an orange twist.
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes (for the blackberry reduction)
Smoked Rosemary Boulevardier
Elevate your cocktail game with this unique take on the classic Boulevardier, infused with the rich flavors of smoked rosemary. Perfect for special occasions or a sophisticated evening in.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon
– 1 oz Aperol
– 1 oz sweet vermouth
– 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
– Smoked salt (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, Aperol, and sweet vermouth.
2. Add two sprigs of fresh rosemary to the mixture and muddle gently with a spoon or bar tool to release the oils and flavors.
3. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for approximately 30 seconds to chill and dilute the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, if desired, and a pinch of smoked salt (if using) to add an extra layer of smokiness.
Cooking Time: None required!
Boulevardier with Cardamom Bitters
Elevate the classic Boulevardier cocktail by adding a unique twist of cardamom bitters.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye work well)
– 1/2 oz Aperol
– 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes Cardamom Bitters
– Orange peel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey, Aperol, and sweet vermouth.
3. Add 2 dashes of Cardamom Bitters.
4. Stir for approximately 30 seconds to chill and dilute the ingredients.
5. Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.
6. Express a strip of orange peel over the drink, then use as garnish.
Cooking Time: None needed!
Boulevardier with Toasted Coconut
Elevate your cocktail game with this creamy, tropical take on the classic Boulevardier. The toasted coconut adds a rich, velvety texture and a hint of sweetness to balance out the bold flavors.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye work well)
– 1 oz Aperol
– 1 oz sweet vermouth
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
– 1/2 oz simple syrup
– Toasted coconut flakes for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add whiskey, Aperol, sweet vermouth, and lime juice.
3. Stir for 30-45 seconds to combine and chill.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
5. Drizzle simple syrup along the inside of the glass, creating a subtle gradient effect.
6. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and serve.
Cooking Time: None
Boulevardier with Cinnamon-Infused Vermouth
Elevate the classic Boulevardier cocktail by incorporating the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon-infused vermouth. This twist on the whiskey-based drink is perfect for those looking to add a unique touch to their evening.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
– 1/2 oz cinnamon-infused vermouth (see note)
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– Orange twist, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the bourbon or rye whiskey, cinnamon-infused vermouth, and Angostura bitters.
3. Stir for approximately 20-25 seconds to chill and dilute the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with an orange twist.
Note: To make cinnamon-infused vermouth, combine 1 cup of dry vermouth with 2 cinnamon sticks in a clean glass bottle. Let it steep for at least 24 hours before straining and using in your Boulevardier.
Summary
Get ready to elevate your cocktail game with these 19 creative twists on the classic Boulevardier recipe! From Smoky Mezcal Boulevardier to Spiced Maple Boulevardier, and from Orange Bitters Boulevardier to Lavender-Infused Boulevardier, each variation brings a unique flavor profile to the table. With ingredients like bourbon-infused cherries, black walnut liqueur, and toasted coconut, there’s something for every palate. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or just looking for a new drink to try, these innovative recipes are sure to inspire your next cocktail creation.