The Vieux Carré, a Classic Cocktail Recipe

The History of the Vieux Carré

The Vieux Carré is a classic cocktail that originates in New Orleans, Louisiana. Created by renowned bartender Walter Bergeron back in 1938, it quickly caught on and has been served at bars and restaurants across the city ever since.

The name “Vieux Carré” translates to “Old Square” in French, and it was given this moniker because of its popularity among locals who gathered around Jackson Square – an old square located in the heart of downtown New Orleans.

This unique drink is made with rye whiskey, cognac brandy, sweet vermouth and Benedictine liqueur – all shaken with ice before being strained into a chilled glass. Its strong yet smooth taste has made it one of New Orleans’ most beloved drinks for decades.

A traditional recipe for the Vieux Carré includes equal parts rye whiskey, cognac brandy and sweet vermouth mixed together with just 1/4 part Benedictine liqueur. This mix can be adjusted depending on personal preferences but should always include each ingredient if you want to get that true Vieux Carre flavor.

The Vieux Carré is a classic New Orleans cocktail that originated in the 1930s at the historic Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone. It’s a sophisticated and well-balanced drink, featuring a blend of rye whiskey, Cognac, sweet vermouth, and herbal liqueur. Here’s the recipe for a Vieux Carré:

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Vieux Carré Recipe

The Vieux Carré is a rich, complex, and aromatic cocktail that showcases the harmony of its various components.

Course: Drinks

Ingredients

• 3/4 oz rye whiskey
• 3/4 oz Cognac
• 3/4 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 tsp Bénédictine liqueur
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
• Ice
• Garnish: lemon twist or cherry

Instructions

• Fill a mixing glass with ice.
• Add the rye whiskey, Cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, Angostura bitters, and Peychaud's bitters to the mixing glass.
• Stir the mixture well until chilled and combined.
• Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with ice (preferably a large ice cube or sphere) or serve it up in a chilled coupe glass.
• Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry before serving.

Glassware

The typical or usual glassware for a Vieux Carré drink is an Old-Fashioned glass. An Old-Fashioned glass, also known as a rocks glass, has a wide base and short stem with sides that are straight up and down to make it look like an inverted cone.

This type of glass helps to concentrate the flavors of the cocktail while allowing you to appreciate its visual presentation. To achieve the perfect flavor and presentation when serving the Vieux Carré, use either chilled or room temperature glasses in order to keep your ingredients cold while maintaining their consistency throughout each sip.

Flavors

The Vieux Carré is a classic cocktail originating in New Orleans during the 1930s. The drink has a unique flavor profile that comes from its combination of rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth and Benedictine liqueur.

Together these four ingredients create a complex mixture of flavors, ranging from sweet to spicy depending on the ratio used. The rye whiskey provides the base while the cognac adds subtle sweetness and smoothness; both are balanced by the herbal notes of sweet vermouth and Benedictine liqueur which bring out earthy and nutty tones.

This flavor profile makes it an ideal companion for many different drinks or meals. It also pairs well with classic dishes like steak or barbecue, as well as light seafood dishes like salmon or trout. When served neat or over ice, it can be enjoyed either before mealtime as an appetizer drink or after dinner for dessert. Regardless of how it’s served, this iconic beverage will surely leave you wanting more!

3 tips for Making Your Vieux Carré

• Make sure to use the best quality of cognac and rye whiskey possible, as their flavor will greatly influence the taste of your drink.
• Select a sweet vermouth that you like the taste of; this will be the main component for which you can adjust sweetness levels.
• Take care when dashing both Angostura bitters and Peychaud’s bitters into your drink, as just a few drops are all that is needed to give it its distinct flavor profile.