The Vieux Carré is another example of my recent obsession with old school cocktails. This one hails from New Orleans and traces back to the 1930s. I was drawn to the drink because it seems very boozy with the whiskey and cognac. I used Armagnac because I had it on hand. I made a special trip to the liquor store for the Benedictine. I’ve seen a few drinks calling for this spirit including the A La Louisanne. I read you can replace the Benedictine with Amaro but in the cocktail I thought I would make it as described and tweak if I want to later.

I used Google translate and Vieux Carré translates to “old square” which was referencing what is now the French Quarter section of New Orleans. I pronounce it “voo kaa ray” because I think that is how a New Orleanians would say it. But like everything else the pronunciation of an old drink sparks debate. In researching the drink, especially in the comments, you find French and Canadians saying it should be pronounced one way and folks from New Orleans saying something else. I’ll just stick to my way and go on living my life. 😀

I mentioned above that I chose to make this drink because it sounded boozy. I decided to make it even more boozy. The original recipe calls for 3/4 ounce rye whiskey and 3/4 ounce cognac. I bumped up the whiskey and the cognac to 1 whole ounce.

Ingredients for Vieux Carré Cocktail

• 1 ounce rye whiskey
• 1 ounce Armagnac
• 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1/2 teaspoon Benedictine
• 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Lemon twist for garnish

How to make a Vieux Carré Cocktail

1. Combine all ingredients in to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 20 seconds until cold and fully combined.
2. Pour into to an old fashioned glass with a large ice cube.
3. Garnish with Luxardo cherry.