As I sit at the iconic Carousel Bar in New Orleans’ French Quarter, I feel a connection to the past. The clinking of glasses and soft chatter remind me of the Vieux Carré cocktail’s birth. This drink is a symbol of the city’s lively cocktail scene, known for its bold flavors and smooth texture.
In the 1930s, Walter Bergeron created this special cocktail. He named it after the French Quarter, honoring the city’s rich history and diverse influences. As I enjoy the amber liquid, I imagine the stories shared over a Vieux Carré glass.
Whether you’re a cocktail expert or new to mixology, learning the Vieux Carré Cocktail Recipe is rewarding. It offers a perfect mix of spirits, bitters, and herbal notes. Let’s explore the secrets of this iconic New Orleans cocktail together.
Introduction to the Vieux Carré Cocktail
Origins and History
The Vieux Carré cocktail is a beloved classic from New Orleans, dating back to the 1930s. It’s named after the “Old Square” or French Quarter, showing its deep connection to the city’s history. This name reflects the city’s rich cultural mix.
Walter Bergeron, a bartender at the Hotel Monteleone’s Carousel Bar, created it. It first showed up in print in 1937 in Stanley Clisby Arthur’s book. This cocktail combines rye whiskey, French Cognac, sweet vermouth, and bitters from the Caribbean and New Orleans. It’s a true mix of the city’s diverse influences.
Pronunciation and Meaning
The name “Vieux Carré” honors the French Quarter’s history. “Vieux” means “old” and “Carré” means “square” in French. This cocktail is a blend of European and Caribbean flavors, making it a unique drink.
“The Vieux Carré cocktail is a reflection of New Orleans’ multicultural heritage, incorporating locally produced rye whiskey, French Cognac and Bénédictine, Italian sweet vermouth, and Caribbean and New Orleans bitters.”
Vieux Carré Cocktail Recipe
The Vieux Carré cocktail shows the lasting charm of New Orleans’ cocktail scene. It mixes rye whiskey, Cognac, and sweet vermouth. It also adds Bénédictine liqueur and Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters for extra flavor.
This cocktail recipe is all about balance. It creates a drink that’s warm, herbal, and a bit bitter. It’s a perfect taste of the French Quarter. Here’s how to make this classic New Orleans drink:
- Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Add 3/4 ounce of rye whiskey, 3/4 ounce of Cognac, and 3/4 ounce of sweet vermouth.
- Add 1 teaspoon of Bénédictine liqueur and 1 dash each of Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters.
- Stir the ingredients for 15-20 seconds until chilled and well-combined.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or old-fashioned glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry or a lemon twist.
The Vieux Carré is a complex and sophisticated cocktail. It honors New Orleans’ rich history and culture. Enjoy it on a warm evening in the French Quarter or at home. This New Orleans Cocktail will take you straight to the city’s heart.
“The Vieux Carré cocktail is a warming drink with herbal, citrus, and smoky notes, similar to a Manhattan but more complex due to the addition of cognac, Bénédictine, and two types of bitters.”
Key Ingredients Explained
The Vieux Carré cocktail is made with a mix of key ingredients. These ingredients give it a bold, complex, and richly spiced taste. Let’s explore each of these important parts:
Rye Whiskey
Rye whiskey gives the Vieux Carré a spicy, smoky flavor. It balances the drink’s sweetness, adding depth and character.
Cognac
Cognac, a top French brandy, adds fruity and floral notes. Its warm, complex flavors mix well with the other ingredients, making the drink sophisticated.
Sweet Vermouth
Sweet vermouth adds sweetness and herbal complexity. Its mix of botanicals and wine-based flavors makes the drink lush and inviting.
D.O.M. Bénédictine
Bénédictine, a French liqueur, brings warm, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors. Its unique blend of herbs and botanicals adds an intriguing depth.
Bitters: Peychaud’s and Angostura
Peychaud’s bitters, a New Orleans staple, add a distinctive bitter-fruity aroma and flavor. Angostura bitters add more bitterness and spice. Together, they balance and elevate the Vieux Carré cocktail.
Understanding each ingredient’s role shows the complexity and craftsmanship of the Vieux Carré cocktail.
“The Vieux Carré is one of only 33 cocktails included on the International Bartender Association’s (IBA) ‘The Unforgettables’ official cocktail list.”
Mixing and Serving Instructions
To make the classic Vieux Carré cocktail, start by filling a mixing glass with ice. Add rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and dashes of Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters.
Stir the mix for about a minute. This ensures it’s chilled and diluted well. Then, pour it into an old-fashioned glass over fresh ice or neat. Garnish with a lemon peel or a cherry to enhance the flavors.
By using this Vieux Carré cocktail technique, you can enjoy this iconic New Orleans drink at home. The mix of rye, cognac, and herbal notes makes it a true classic.
“The Vieux Carré is a sophisticated, spirit-forward cocktail that embodies the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans.”
Vieux Carré Cocktail Recipe
The Vieux Carré cocktail comes from the French Quarter of New Orleans. It’s a mix of rye whiskey, Cognac, and sweet vermouth. This cocktail shows the city’s rich mixology history and the skill of mixing.
The classic recipe uses equal parts of whiskey, Cognac, and vermouth. It also includes Bénédictine liqueur and two bitters: Peychaud’s and Angostura. Some mixologists adjust the vermouth to improve the balance.
- In a chilled mixing glass, combine 3/4 oz rye whiskey, 3/4 oz Cognac, and 3/4 oz sweet vermouth.
- Add 1/2 tsp of Bénédictine liqueur, 1 dash of Peychaud’s bitters, and 1 dash of Angostura bitters.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for about 1 minute to chill and dilute the cocktail.
- Strain the mixture into an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice or serve it neat.
- Garnish the Vieux Carré with a lemon peel or a cherry.
The Vieux Carré cocktail has a history from the 1930s. It was made at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter. Today, it’s loved for its deep flavors and complex taste.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rye Whiskey | 3/4 oz |
| Cognac | 3/4 oz |
| Sweet Vermouth | 3/4 oz |
| Bénédictine Liqueur | 1/2 tsp |
| Peychaud’s Bitters | 1 dash |
| Angostura Bitters | 1 dash |
The Vieux Carré cocktail is a masterpiece. It combines whiskey, Cognac, and vermouth with Bénédictine and bitters. Enjoyed in the French Quarter or at home, it’s a delight that takes you to New Orleans.
Conclusion
The Vieux Carré cocktail is a timeless gem from New Orleans. It combines rye whiskey, Cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and bitters. This mix honors the cultural mix of the French Quarter.
Enjoying a Vieux Carré at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone is special. Or, make one at home to appreciate its beauty. It shows the lasting charm of well-made, spirit-rich cocktails.
Mixing a perfect Vieux Carré is all about balance. The spicy rye, warm Cognac, sweet vermouth, and complex Bénédictine all matter. Learning to make a Vieux Carré improves your mixology skills and lets you taste New Orleans’ cocktail history.
So, let’s toast to the Vieux Carré, a classic that still wins hearts. Its lasting fame proves the power of well-made, spirit-forward drinks. These drinks celebrate New Orleans’ rich history and diverse cultures.
FAQ
What is the Vieux Carré cocktail?
The Vieux Carré is a classic cocktail from New Orleans. It’s like a Manhattan but more complex. It was first published in 1937 by Stanley Clisby Arthur in his book “Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em”. It’s named after the French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans.
Who created the Vieux Carré cocktail?
Walter Bergeron, the head bartender at the Hotel Monteleone’s Carousel Bar in the 1930s, created the Vieux Carré cocktail.
What are the key ingredients in a Vieux Carré cocktail?
The Vieux Carré cocktail recipe includes rye whiskey, Cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine liqueur, Peychaud’s bitters, and Angostura bitters.
How do you make a Vieux Carré cocktail?
To make a Vieux Carré, mix all the ingredients in a glass with ice. Stir it for about a minute to chill and dilute it. Then, strain it into an old-fashioned glass. You can serve it over ice or neat. Garnish with a lemon peel or cherry to enhance the flavors.
What is the significance of the Vieux Carré name?
The name Vieux Carré (vyur-kaa-ray in Creole French) means “Old Square”. It refers to the original name of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Source Links
- Vieux Carré cocktail with Vermut Rojo – Whiskey and Vermut cocktail
- Vieux Carré Cocktail Recipe – Food Republic
- Vieux Carré: A Classic NOLA Cocktail
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- Drinking the French Quarter: The Vieux Carré Cocktail
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- This Cocktail Is Like New Orleans in a Glass
- The Vieux Carre Cocktail – Salvation South
- If You Love Manhattan Cocktails, You’ll Love This Slightly Sweet And Spiced Vieux Carré Cocktail
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- 042 – Vieux Carré
- How to Make a Vieux Carré, the Quintessential New Orleans Cocktail
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- The Best Vieux Carré Cocktail Recipe – The Mixer
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- How to Make a Vieux Carré, the Quintessential New Orleans Cocktail
- In Search of the Ultimate Vieux Carré | PUNCH
- The Cocktail College Podcast: How to Make the Perfect Vieux Carré
- Vieux Carré – A Crescent City Cocktail for Mardi Gras
