Friday Cocktail Hour: Cheers to the Boulevardier!

I have a terrible habit of biting off more than I can chew. I hate saying “no” to people, and so every couple of months this all catches up to me and I find myself running around, not sleeping, and generally feeling a little overwhelmed.

This month I’m selling my pastries at an absolutely giant convention. Which is amazing! I’m also throwing my best friend a pretty elaborate engagement party. I have two cake tastings this month, where I get to meet potential new clients, and I have a wedding cake I’m making, which I love to do. But when all that comes together, and my steady job starts getting super busy, everything starts to feel like a bit much. And I know full well that I’m not alone in this. We all take on too much sometimes.

And that, my friends, is when you pull a Beyoncé and put your head down and just work, as long and hard as necessary, to get what needs be done, done.
And then, when you finish, you pour yourself a stiff drink.

This is my stiff drink of choice. It’s boozy, a bit bitter, a bit sweet, and it hits all the right notes for me. It’s a classic cocktail – F. Scott Fitzgerald is rumored to have drunk more than a few of these in his day – and for a reason. It’s a beautifully balanced cocktail that packs a serious punch. If I drink one of these, it’s just enough to make me feel like it, and these days that little bit of a buzz is such a good reward for the hard work.

Boulevardier

  • 1 ½ oz Bourbon
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • Orange Twist or a Cherry to garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour in the alcohol. Stir vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a glass, and garnish with the orange peel or cherry.