Boulevardier

      Boulevardier:  1. A frequenter of Parisian boulevards -- more broadly, a man-about-town.  2. A cocktail made with equal parts rye whisky, sweet vermouth and Campari, garnished with a generous slice of orange peel.  

   The first usage I learned from Stephen Presser, a professor at Northwestern Law, circa 1986.  I distinctly remember his delivery:  eyes closed, rising up on the balls of his feet, thrusting his ample torso forward, gesturing grandly.

   The second I learned from a young bartender at Mezze in Williamstown.  A likable guy who talked fast, loved his craft, enjoyed talking to customers -- but not too much -- and was excited to introduce you to a new drink that you "really will like" and actually do.  

   A conversation with the bartender wandered around bourbons for a little while before he suggested the boulevardier, a descendant of the famous Negroni, which is the same drink with gin instead of rye.  Bracing, spicy, bitter, sweet, delicious.  Utterly pleasing.  The second one, too.