The Bonded Boulevardier

There are numerous reasons why I find it imperative to craft and savour a few more cocktails with a solid base of the exquisite Jack Daniel's Bonded. Allow me to elucidate:

Firstly, I have made a personal commitment to my friend Vincent at Jack Daniel's Belgium, promising to further explore the potential of this exceptional bottle.

Adding to the excitement, September marks the month when we celebrate Mr Jack's birthday, although the exact date has been lost to history. This gives us a perfect reason to raise our glasses in his honour.

From September 18th to 24th, the world celebrates Negroniweek, a delightful initiative where ordering a Negroni at your preferred bar contributes to a noble cause. Given my staunch support for this event over the years, I've decided to opt for a couple of exceptional Negroni-style concoctions this year. Repetition of the same old recipes seems rather uninspiring, don't you think?

Today, I've selected the signature cocktail thoughtfully provided by Jack Daniel's for this very bottle. It's a strategic move to share these recipes with the bottles themselves, as it encourages buyers to explore the world of cocktails. The Bonded Boulevardier, a Negroni-style drink, deviates slightly from the classic “even parts” recipe, leaning a tad heavier on the spirit. This bold twist promises an experience akin to ordering a drink at a top-tier cocktail bar—a choice that will undoubtedly elevate your cocktail game. Cheers to new horizons in mixology!

The Bonded Boulevardier

Ingredients

45ml Jack Daniel’s Bonded

30ml Sweet red vermouth (always use a good quality vermouth!)

30ml Red Italian bitter such as Campari or Select. 

Method

Don’t forget we’re working with a 100-proof spirit, which can use a slight bit of watering down to release all the hidden flavours. 

• Pretty method: First add all three ingredients to a mixing glass with lots of ice cubes. Stir until perfectly mixed and cooled. Strain into a tumbler with a nice large rock of clear ice. Garnish with a nice cut of orange zest and a maraschino cherry. 

• Fast method: Add ingredients and ice cubes to a tumbler. Stir until nicely mixed and cooled. Garnish with a wedge of fresh orange. The fresh aroma of the orange will complete the drink. Never muddle the orange in your Boulevardier. Just don’t. 

Want to watch me stir one of these? Watch the reel on Instagram. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.