ThirstyforKnowledge

An encyclopedia of drinks — mixed, poured, brewed and whisked

No. 034 Cocktails · Whisky & whiskey

Vieux Carré

Rye, cognac and sweet vermouth with Bénédictine and Peychaud's: a layered New Orleans stirred drink.

A Vieux Carré over ice in a cut-glass tumbler with an orange twist
A Vieux Carré on the rocks Photo: CocktailStevee, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recipe card

ml oz

Makes 1 drink · about 4 min to make

Ingredients

Ounces are US fluid ounces (29.57 ml), rounded.

Method

  1. Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice cubes.
  2. Stir well.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with orange zest and a maraschino cherry.
Glass
Cocktail glass (coupe)
Garnish
Orange zest and a maraschino cherry
Technique
Stirred
Difficulty
Takes practice

Printable recipe card Quantities as given in the IBA's official specification.

About the Vieux Carré

Two spirits, sweet vermouth, a barspoon of herbal Bénédictine and Peychaud's bitters combine into a rich, spiced drink to sip slowly.

Background

It originated with Walter Bergeron, a bartender at the Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans. The name is French for 'old square', referring to the city's French Quarter.

Tags: new orleans stirred spirit-forward

Sources

  1. IBA — Vieux Carré (official specification)
  2. Wikipedia — Vieux Carré (cocktail)

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