Vieux Carré
A bitter and sweet cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 27.3% ABV ∙
The Vieux Carré is a stirred New Orleans cocktail of equal parts rye whiskey, Cognac and sweet vermouth, with a little Bénédictine and Creole bitters.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir: Rye whiskey 30 mlCognac 30 mlRosso vermouth 30 mlBénédictine D.O.M. liqueur 5 mlCreole-style bitters 2 dashes
- Strain into the chilled cocktail glass
- Garnish with an orange twist and a maraschino cherry
Tips
- Three 30 ml pours of rye, cognac and vermouth make a strong, rich drink, so stir for a full 30 seconds or more to take the edge off.
History
The Vieux Carré was created by Walter Bergeron, head bartender at the Hotel Monteleone's Swan Room bar in New Orleans. It is most commonly dated to 1938, but its recipe had already appeared in print in 1937, in Stanley Clisby Arthur's book Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix 'Em. Bergeron named the drink after the French term for the French Quarter, the historic neighborhood surrounding the hotel, meaning "old square."
Its blend of rye whiskey, Cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and Peychaud's bitters is often described as a nod to the American, French, Italian, and Caribbean communities that shaped the Quarter, though that reading is legend rather than Bergeron's own statement. The Swan Room was renamed the Carousel Bar in 1949 for its rotating counter, and the Vieux Carré remains associated with that room at the Hotel Monteleone to this day. It was added to the IBA's official Unforgettables in the organization's 2020 update.
FAQ
What is a Vieux Carré drink?
A stirred New Orleans cocktail of equal parts rye whiskey, Cognac and sweet vermouth, with a little Bénédictine and Creole-style bitters. The Cognac gives it a fruitiness an all-whiskey drink lacks.
What does Vieux Carré taste like?
It is rich and spirit-forward, with rye spice and Cognac's fruitiness balanced by vermouth sweetness and a honeyed herbal note from the Bénédictine. The Creole bitters add a dry, faintly anise-like edge on the finish, making it weightier and more complex than a Manhattan.
What does "Vieux Carré" mean in French?
Vieux Carré translates to "old square," the French name for the French Quarter in New Orleans, where the cocktail was created.
What are the ingredients in a Vieux Carré cocktail?
Rye whiskey, Cognac, and sweet vermouth, 30 ml each, plus 5 ml of Bénédictine and two dashes of Creole-style bitters such as Peychaud's.
What kind of sweet vermouth is best for a Vieux Carré?
A classic Italian-style rosso vermouth is the standard choice, since its brown-sugar and dried-fruit sweetness supports the rye and Cognac without overpowering the Bénédictine. Use a bottle opened within the last few weeks, since vermouth fades soon after opening.
Can I make a Vieux Carré without Bénédictine?
You can, but it will taste noticeably different: the Bénédictine supplies the honeyed, herbal note. A small amount of another herbal liqueur gets you close, though the drink will be less rich than the classic.
What whiskey is best for a Vieux Carré?
Rye. Its peppery spice keeps the sweetness of the vermouth and Bénédictine in check. Bourbon works if you want a softer, sweeter drink, but you lose some of that spice.
