When I think of Mardi Gras I can’t help but think of New Orleans, and when I think of New Orleans my mind inevitably goes to cocktails. Now New Orleans is home to a number of signature cocktails including the Hurricane and the Sazerac, but one of my favorites is the Vieux Carre. A little bit smooth and a little bit spicy this rye and brandy cocktail is basically New Orleans in a glass.
The Casual Foodist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase through these links the Casual Foodist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.
History of the Vieux Carre
Vieux Carre, or Old Square in French, refers to New Orleans storied French Quarter. Vieux Carre the cocktail dates back to the 1930s where it was first mixed up by Walter Bergeron at the Carousel Bar at the famed Hotel Monteleone. It’s been a New Orleans standard ever since.
Ingredients for the Vieux Carre
- Rye whiskey
- Brandy or cognac
- Sweet vermouth
- Benedictine
- Peychaud’s bitters
- Angostura bitters
How to Make a Vieux Carre Cocktail
Add rye, cognac, vermouth, benedictine (I’ve also used chartruese if I didn’t have benedictine on hand) and bitters (you can also change up the bitters to suit your taste) into a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 10-15 seconds or until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with a lemon peel or a cherry if desired.
If you like this Viuex Carre Cocktail be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
If you make this Vieux Carre Cocktail please a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Vieux Carre Cocktail
Equipment
- mixing glass
- bar spoon
- cocktail strainer
- rocks glass
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz cognac or brandy
- 3/4 oz rye whiskey
- 3/4 oz sweet vermouth
- 1/3 oz benedictine
- 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
Instructions
- Add rye, cognac, vermouth, benedictine and bitters into a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 10-15 seconds or until well chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with a lemon peel.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Jamie says
Wow! This classic cocktail looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I totally love the presentation, giving this drink a very enticing and tempting appeal!
Amy Liu Dong says
Wow! This is such a great-looking cocktail, looks absolutely delicious and tasty! What I love is the goldish color making it so enticing and tempting! Loved it already!