Saturday Happy Hour — Fine, Go Ahead, Make An Equal-Parts Boulevardier
Who am I to argue with tradition?
In yesterday’s subscriber-only newsletter, I argued that the Boulevardier — traditionally a three-equal-parts drink consisting of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Campari — is neither an equal-parts drink nor a three-part drink. I stand by that argument.
But if you’re still determined to make it in three equal parts, I won’t argue too much. After all, it’s traditional. It’s also incredibly easy. And yes, it can be pretty tasty too.
If you’re going to go this route, however, there are better ways to do it.
My favorite involves Bulleit rye, Dolin Rouge vermouth, and Campari, on ice, with an orange peel. This is an easy drink to make, and you want it to be easy to drink as well. Bulleit makes a very solid, pleasantly smooth rye that’s a little lower proof than Rittenhouse and a little less fruity than Old Overholt. It’s relatively inexpensive and widely available. And it goes quite well with the mild, light-bodied Dolin Rouge. Campari, of course, is a given.
The real trick here is to cut the proportions and make this drink smaller. This doesn’t change the flavor. But it does change the character of the cocktail, turning it into a kind of a taster portion that can be consumed in just a few sips. For an equal parts Boulevardier, less is more.
So although the cocktail is typically poured with a full ounce of each ingredient, I prefer to cut it down to ¾ of an ounce for each, resulting in a 2 ¼ ounce drink.
Served in a single rocks glass over a hunk of ice with a strip of orange peel, it reads almost like a slightly sweeter, slightly richer, considerably more herbal Old Fashioned. It’s not quite as low-ABV as, say, a Bamboo, but it makes a great nightcap, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome.
An Equal Parts Boulevardier, If You Must Have One
¾ ounce Bulleit rye
¾ ounce Dolin Rouge vermouth
¾ ounce Campari
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass.
Add ice, then stir until thoroughly chilled.
Strain into a single rocks glass over a large piece of ice.
Garnish with an orange peel.