Vieux Carré
Rye, cognac and sweet vermouth with Bénédictine and two kinds of bitters. Rich, complex and slow to sip.
- Time
- 5 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Glass
- Rocks glass
- Strength
- 2.4 UK units
How to make a Vieux Carré
- Add everything to a mixing glass. Pour the rye, cognac, vermouth, Bénédictine and both bitters into a mixing glass. Fill it with ice.
- Stir until cold. Stir for 30 to 40 seconds, until the glass is frosted and the drink has lost its harsh edge.
- Strain onto fresh ice. Strain over one large ice cube in a rocks glass. Fresh ice melts slower than the ice you stirred with.
- Finish with lemon. Squeeze a strip of lemon peel over the top so the oils land on the drink, then drop it in or discard it.
- Glass
- Rocks glassNo rocks glass? Any short, heavy tumbler.
- Ice
- One large cube
- Garnish
- Lemon twist or a cocktail cherryOr: Leave it plain.
What you need to make a Vieux Carré
Kit
JiggerA double-ended measure, usually 25 ml and 50 ml.
Mixing glassAny sturdy jug or pint glass works.
Bar spoonA long teaspoon does the job.
StrainerA Hawthorne strainer fits over the tin or glass.
Vegetable peelerFor wide strips of peel with little pith.
Bottles we'd use
- Cognac VS or VSOPHennessy VS or Courvoisier VS are fine. No need for anything older.Find it on Amazon
- Bénédictine DOMHerbal and honeyed. There is no direct swap.Find it on Amazon
- Sweet vermouthCocchi Vermouth di Torino stands up to the cognac and rye.Find it on Amazon
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The Vieux Carré story
Bartender Walter Bergeron is credited with creating it in the 1930s at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, where the Carousel Bar still serves it. The name is the French Quarter's old name, meaning 'old square'. A few details of the exact date vary between sources.
It blends rye, cognac and vermouth in equal parts, with a bit of Bénédictine. It is richer than a Manhattan and more layered than a Sazerac. If the drink tastes too sweet, use a little less Bénédictine and keep the bitters.
Vieux Carré: your questions answered
What is in a Vieux Carré?
A Vieux Carré is made with 25 ml rye whiskey, 25 ml Cognac, 25 ml sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, 2 dashes of Peychaud's bitters and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. Garnish: lemon twist or a cocktail cherry.
Is a Vieux Carré shaken or stirred?
A Vieux Carré is stirred, not shaken. Stirring with ice chills and dilutes it while keeping the drink clear and smooth. Shaking would cloud it and add tiny air bubbles, which suits citrus drinks but not this one.
How strong is a Vieux Carré?
Made to this recipe, a Vieux Carré contains about 2.4 UK units of alcohol per drink. That is worked out from typical bottle strengths, so it changes with the bottles you use. UK guidelines advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.
What glass do you serve a Vieux Carré in?
Serve a Vieux Carré in a rocks glass over ice. No rocks glass? Any short, heavy tumbler.
