The Boulevardier is a Negroni made with whiskey instead of gin — stirred, spirit-forward, and one of the most satisfying drinks you can make. Here's the non-alcoholic version.
What You Need
- 1.5 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- 1 oz non-alcoholic sweet vermouth (Lyre's Aperitif Rosso)
- 1 oz non-alcoholic Campari alternative (Lyre's Aperitif Dry or Crodino)
- Ice
- Rocks glass
- Orange twist or cherry to garnish
How to Make It
- Combine No. 86, vermouth, and Campari alternative in a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir for 30 seconds — slow, steady. You want cold and diluted, not aerated.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Express an orange twist over the top and drop it in, or garnish with a cherry.
The Ratio
The classic Boulevardier is 1:1:1. This recipe uses 1.5:1:1 — slightly more whiskey — which works well with NA spirits because it keeps the base prominent. If you want the bitter notes to come forward more, go equal parts.
Campari Alternatives
Crodino is an Italian non-alcoholic bitter aperitivo that's widely available and has a genuine bitter orange character. Lyre's Aperitif Dry is slightly more accessible. Both work in this drink. In a pinch, mix 1 oz of blood orange juice with 3 dashes of Angostura bitters (All the Bitter makes a great non-alcoholic version) and a small bar spoon of simple syrup — it's not the same but it holds the structure of the drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Boulevardier and a Negroni?
Gin vs whiskey. Same ratio, same method. The whiskey version (Boulevardier) is warmer and less herbal than the gin version (Negroni). Most whiskey drinkers who try a Negroni prefer the Boulevardier.
Can I serve it up instead of on the rocks?
Yes — strain into a chilled coupe instead of over ice. Stir a bit longer to get it colder before straining. Serving up makes it slightly more formal; on the rocks is more relaxed.
Is Crodino easy to find?
It's common in Italian markets and many specialty grocery stores. Also available online. It comes in small single-serve bottles (100ml), which is convenient — one bottle is exactly one drink.
Stirred. Rich. Worth making.
No. 86 at the heart of one of the best spirit-forward cocktails — without the alcohol.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.