Gentian Boulevard

Manhattan & Riffs • December 16, 2025

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A photo of the Gentian Boulevard cocktail containing Savage & Cooke Cask Finished Bourbon, Tempus Fugit Kina L'Aero d'Or, Suze Aperitif, Chilled water (reduce if wet ice) in a Coupe.

Curiada Ingredients

1.67 fl oz Savage & Cooke Cask Finished Bourbon or alternative
0.67 fl oz Tempus Fugit Kina L'Aero d'Or or alternative
0.50 fl oz Suze Aperitif or alternative

Other Ingredients

0.75 fl oz Chilled water (reduce if wet ice)

Directions

Chill coupe glass
Add all ingredients to mixing glass
Add ice to mixing glass
Stir well
Strain into chilled coupe glass
Garnish with Luxardo Maraschino cherry

Cocktail Description

The Gentian Boulevard is a bittersweet symphony that feels like walking down a Parisian boulevard in autumn with the perfect golden hour light.

This sophisticated cocktail combines the vanilla-caramel richness of Buffalo Trace bourbon with not one but two bitter European aperitifs: the golden-hued Kina L'Aero d'Or and the distinctively vegetal Suze. What emerges is a perfectly balanced drink with warming whiskey notes upfront followed by complex herbal bitterness and subtle citrus undertones. The Gentian Boulevard is surprisingly approachable to make at home, requiring just a mixing glass, bar spoon, and strainer to create a drink that looks as elegant as it tastes in that chilled coupe glass. It's perfect for cocktail hour before a special dinner or as a nightcap after a meal featuring hearty dishes like roasted duck or beef bourguignon. The bitterness in this cocktail helps cut through fatty foods while the bourbon backbone stands up to robust flavors, making it an excellent companion to French or Alpine-inspired cuisine.