The Vieux Carre is a unique and fascinating drink that only New Orleans could have created. It’s a great cocktail that can make any house party better, so learn how to mix one at home below.
View the Carre Cocktail Recipe and Instructions
To make this famous New Orleans drink, you’ll need:
- 3/4 ounces of rye whiskey
- 3/4 ounce cognac
- 1/2 ounces of Benedictine liqueur
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 3/4 ounces of sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
- Lemon twist to garnish (but a cherry also works).
There’s a lot on this ingredient list, but that doesn’t mean the Vieux Carre is difficult to make. Just follow these steps:
- Add all your ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir until it’s well-chilled.
- Strain into an old-fashioned glass with fresh ice.
- Top with a lemon twist or cherry, and serve.
Nutrition Information
This French Quarter drink is full and heavy with around 221 calories per serving, 10g of carbs, and 1g of fat.
The Vieux Carre cocktail is considered a slow sipper, as it is one of the strongest drinks you’ll probably make at home. With around 29% ABV, this drink is meant to be enjoyed over time, not chugged. Take your time with this one, or it can go to your head fast.
How to Serve This Famous New Orleans Cocktail
Classic cocktails like the Vieux Carre rarely need improvement, but these simple tips can help you turn this drink into another experience:
- Invest in top-shelf bottles. There are quite a few different ingredients to gather, but they’re worth the investment.
- Follow the recipe: With other cocktails, you can adjust the proportions and even replace ingredients and still get a great drink. But this cocktail is not one of them. Everything from the rye whiskey to the lemon peel, the sweet vermouth, and the bitters creates a delicate balance that should be respected.
- Serve with meat dishes: Thanks to the bitters and oak-aged spirits, the Vieux Carre cocktail works really well with meat dishes, like a steak.
- Experiment with craft rye whiskies: Rye gives this cocktail a spicy note, and even though it’s equal parts cognac and rye, the rye tends to shine brighter. This cocktail is the perfect opportunity to look for non-famous rye whiskey bottles from craft breweries.
Cocktails Similar to the Vieux Carre
Here are some other famous New Orleans drinks to try:
- Sazerac: Add rye and Peychaud’s bitters to a mixing glass, coat a serving glass in absinthe, and garnish with a lemon peel to get New Orleans’ official cocktail.
- Hurricane Cocktail: Skip the boozy drinks for something on the fruity side by mixing light and dark rum, grenadine, and passion fruit syrup.
- Grasshopper: Combine creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and heavy cream to get one of the most delicious after-dinner drinks you’ll ever have.
- La Louisiane: Add 2 tablespoons of Benedictine liquor to your Sazerac drink to get a more complex and boozier version.
Wrapping Up
The Vieux Carre cocktail fell into obscurity for a while, but today the drink has become one of the most popular treats for those who like their drinks strong.
It’s a great whiskey cocktail for happy hour or a dinner party, though we wouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass by yourself tonight!
