Vieux Carré co*cktail: An Essential Rye Whiskey Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is a Vieux Carré co*cktail the same as a Manhattan? ›

We can view the New Orleans classic Vieux Carré as a manhattan, but it has taken three departures from the classic: its split of rye and cognac; its addition of an herbal modifier in Bénédictine; and its eschewing the traditional co*cktail glass for a rocks glass full of ice.

Rye whiskey pairs well with classic mixers like ginger ale, soda water, or cola. Additionally, it's a key ingredient in classic co*cktails such as the Manhattan and the Whiskey Sour.

The Best Vermouth for Vieux Carré

In this recipe, we're recommending (if you can find it) Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth. This vermouth is a slightly bitter and more full-bodied mixer, with notes of fig, cacao, and caramel in addition to the vanilla for which it's famous.

Traditionally this drink has Benedictine in it, a liqueur made in Normandy, France, from herbs, spices, and saffron. If you don't have it, as I didn't, use yellow Chartreuse or Izarra, a Basque herbal liqueur. Although untraditional, you can also leave it out if it's unavailable.

Literally meaning “old square,”vieux carré is the French term for the French Quarter, the oldest part of New Orleans.

The Vieux Carre is a classic New Orleans creation. Literally meaning “old square” in French, the Vieux Carre is named after the city's French Quarter where it was invented in the 1930s. The man responsible was Walter Bergeron, head bartender at what would become the Hotel Monteleone's iconic Carousel Bar.

Rye and bourbon are distinguished mainly by their mash bills. Rye whiskey is made with a minimum of 51% rye grain, giving it a spicier, drier taste. In contrast, bourbon, like Jim Beam, has at least 51% corn in its mash bill, leading to a sweeter profile.

Heart Healthy

Adding rye into your diet regularly can help those who suffer from high blood pressure. It is the combination of the fibers, vitamins and minerals that all play a role in lowering the blood pressure. In return, this leads to a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

The rye's high proof means it's great for mixing into co*cktails with other strongly flavored ingredients, but you should also sip it straight to truly appreciate the balanced flavors and cheek-warming heat.

The Vieux Carré and Manhattan both favor sweet vermouth in place of the sugar cube/simple syrup used in the Sazerac and Old Fashioned. But it's the addition of brandy, which is measured here in equal parts to the whiskey, and—more importantly—Bénédictine that separates this piece of Louisiana history from all others.

Is Vieux Carré served up or rocks? ›

That sweetness can cloy if it's not suitably chilled and diluted, which is why almost everyone chooses to make it on the rocks. It was definitely conceived that way by Bergeron himself, and I would never say a Vieux Carré on ice is in any way incorrect, but that's not how I make it.

The Vieux Carré is at once boozy, sweet, bitter and smooth—in other words, it's New Orleans in a glass. The drink features several strong ingredients. In most cases, rye or cognac could carry a co*cktail on their own, but the Vieux Carré calls for both in a split-base technique that allows each component to shine.

Ingredients. Galliano has numerous natural ingredients including star anise, Mediterranean anise, juniper berry, musk yarrow, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, and Galliano's hallmark vanilla flavour. Galliano uses vanillin for flavouring and sugar and glucose syrup for sweetening.

Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur in the curaçao tradition, and Cointreau is a triple sec. Grand Marnier is a blend of cognac and triple sec, so although it's not a traditional curaçao, it's a similar product. Cointreau, on the other hand, is straight up a triple sec.

Substitutions. There are a number of possible substitutes for Galliano, though nothing is an exact match. Which you choose will depend on the co*cktail and the direction you want to take it. For herbal liqueurs, Licor 43, Yellow Chartreuse, and Strega will be the best options.

It is but a short time ago that a mixture of whiskey, vermouth and bitters came into vogue. It went under various names - Manhattan co*cktail, Turf Club co*cktail, and Jockey Club co*cktail.

Martinez. This Manhattan variation is a classic in its own right. Made with equal parts gin and sweet vermouth, alongside maraschino liqueur and bitters, the co*cktail is widely thought to be the precursor to the Martini.

The New Orleans classic Vieux Carré is very similar to a Manhattan, with three key differences: its split of rye and cognac, the addition of an herbal modifier in Bénédictine and its served in an old fashioned glass instead of a coupe.