Welcome to Episode 78 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, we are crafting “The Darker Boulevardier,” a brooding, spirit-forward riff on the classic Boulevardier cocktail. If you love a classic Negroni or a traditional Boulevardier but want something with more depth, complexity, and a savory backbone, this recipe is for you.

Instead of the bright, sweet citrus snap of traditional Campari, this recipe features the high-proof intensity of Cynar 70. This amaro brings an assertive, velvety, and deeply savory artichoke-and-herbal bitterness to the glass. To stand up to that heavy modifier, we are anchoring the build with 2 full ounces of the Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7-Year bourbon. With its famous high-rye mash bill, this 114-proof powerhouse brings a sharp punch of black pepper, cinnamon, baking spices, and a classic Jim Beam nuttiness that remains the absolute star of the glass.

We round out the sharp edges with the rich cocoa-and-berry sweetness of Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth and bind the structure together with Orange Bitters. The result is a bold, viscous, and unapologetically complex aperitivo-style cocktail that opens up beautifully as the clear ice melts.

Are you a fan of using Cynar in whiskey cocktails? Let me know your thoughts on this spec in the comments below!

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🥃 THE RECIPE: THE DARKER BOULEVARDIER

• 2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7-Year Bourbon
• 0.75 oz Cynar 70 Amaro
• 0.75 oz Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes Orange Bitters
• Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

📖 INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir thoroughly for 30 to 45 seconds to achieve an ice-cold chill and proper dilution.
3. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a single large, clear ice cube.
4. Express a fresh orange peel over the top to release the bright essential oils, and drop it in as the garnish.

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🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

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