This famous New Orleans cocktail from the 1930s is made of rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, benedictine liquor and pimento bitters. The Vieux Carre recipe is a not-so-distant cousin to the Old Fashioned. If you’re a fan of sweet whiskey drinks, you will love this recipe!
More classic cocktails: Manhattan, Rusty Nail, Boulevardier, Sidecar, Negroni.
Ingredients in a Vieux Carré
- Rye Whiskey – I used George Dickle straight rye whiskey. The higher proof allows the spicy rye notes to take center stage.
- Cognac – A variety of brandy from France.
- Sweet Vermouth – A fortified wine that has been aromatised with a range of botanicals.
- Bénédictine Liqueur – A sweet digestif that is flavored with 27 flowers, berries, herbs, roots, and spices.
- Bitters – We used Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters. Another option is a mixture of Peychaud’s bitters (or any creole bitters) and Angostura bitters.
- Cherry – To garnish. I used a luxardo cherry, which pairs so well with whiskey cocktails.
The best glassware option for this cocktail is a double old fashioned glass. You will also want to make an oversized ice cube.
Instructions
In a mixing glass with ice, combine rye whiskey, cognac, vermouth, benedicitine liqueur and pimento bitters. Stir until very well chilled.
Strain into a cocktail glass with one oversized ice cube.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Tips For Making
- Use a mixing glass instead of a shaker for this classic, historic recipe.
- Prepare an oversized ice cube for this cocktail. It elevates the presentation so much and makes your home feel like a fancy bar.
- Substitutions: If you cannot locate the pimento bitters, you can substitute with a dash of Peychaud’s bitters (or any creole bitters) and Angostura bitters.
History
This drink first appeared in Famous New Orleans Drinks & How To Mix ‘Em by Stanley Clisby Arthur in 1937. It was created by Walter Bergeron, a bartender at New Orleans’ legendary Carousel Bar (which was then known as the Swan Room) inside the Hotel Monteleone. This drink is a perfect representation of New Orleans at that time, including brandy and liqueur from France, vermouth from Italy and rye whiskey from Tennessee.
A Vieux Carré tastes similar to an Old Fashioned, but they are only cousins not siblings. This drink has notes of spice, fruit, florals and botanicals. If you enjoy nuanced whiskey cocktails, I highly recommend this recipe.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Vieux Carré drink get its name?
Vieux Carré is the French word for “French Quarter” or “old square.” This drink is famous in New Orleans and named after the French Quarter.
How is a Vieux Carré different from a Manhattan?
The New Orleans classic Vieux Carré is very similar to a Manhattan, with three key differences: its split of rye and cognac, the addition of an herbal modifier in Bénédictine and its served in an old fashioned glass instead of a coupe.
What is the alcohol content for a Vieux Carre?
This cocktail is equivalent to 1.7 standard drinks. It contains 30.51% alc./vol. (61.02 proof) and 23.9 grams of pure alcohol.
More cocktail recipe with similar booziness and sweetness: Paper Plane, Margarita, Espresso Martini or see our full cocktails archive.
Vieux Carré Cocktail
Equipment
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1 old fashioned glass
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1 mixing glass
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce rye whiskey
- ¾ ounce cognac
- ¾ ounce sweet vermouth
- ⅓ ounce Benedectine liqueur
- 4 dashes bitters
Instructions
-
In a mixing glass with ice, combine rye whiskey, cognac, vermouth, Benedicitine liqueur and pimento bitters. Stir until very well chilled.
-
Strain into a cocktail glass with one oversized ice cube.
-
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
- Use a mixing glass instead of a shaker for this classic, historic recipe.
- Prepare an oversized ice cube for this cocktail. It elevates the presentation so much and makes your home feel like a fancy bar.
- Substitutions: If you cannot locate the pimento bitters, you can substitute with a dash of Peychaud’s bitters (or any creole bitters) and Angostura bitters.