In the thriving literary and artistic circles of 1920s Paris, Erskine Gwynne stood out as a prominent figure. An American writer and socialite, he founded The Boulevardier, a literary magazine that became a hub for emerging artists and writers. Gwynne's magazine epitomised the cosmopolitan spirit of the era, celebrating creativity and culture. Often deemed the equivalent of The New Yorker in the heart of Paris, it offered a platform for fresh voices and avant-garde ideas.

In homage to Erskine Gwynne's influential contributions to the vibrant Parisian social scene, the illustrious bartender Harry McElhone crafted what would become a timeless classic: the Boulevardier cocktail, at his iconic Harry's New York Bar. This libation, a clever reinterpretation of the Negroni, ingeniously replaced gin with the warmth of bourbon. The result? A rich and intricate concoction that artfully mirrored Gwynne's fusion of Parisian sophistication and American flair.

The Boulevardier cocktail's ascent to legendary status was cemented when McElhone included it in his 1927 seminal bar guide, Barflies and Cocktails. With that inclusion, the Boulevardier carved out its own niche, forever cementing its place as a cherished icon in the pantheon of classic cocktails.