Vieux Carré
A New Orleans monument layering rye and Cognac with sweet vermouth, Bénédictine and two bitters; complex but all spirit-and-liqueur, so it pre-batches and stirs to order without splitting.
Set servings & plan this recipe →
How to make it
Stirred · Advanced · about 4 minutes
- 1
Add the rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, bénédictine, peychaud's bitters and angostura bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- 2
Stir for 20–30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
- 3
Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- 4
Garnish with lemon twist.
Tools you'll need
Making a batch for a party?
This example makes 12 servings with added water at 22% of the full recipe volume before dilution. This is a planning assumption; water from ice at service is not predicted. Edit this recipe and create a purchase sheet →
| Ingredient | × 12 | mL |
|---|---|---|
| Rye whiskey | 12.0 oz | 355 |
| Cognac | 12.0 oz | 355 |
| Sweet vermouth | 12.0 oz | 355 |
| Bénédictine | 3.0 oz | 89 |
| Peychaud's bitters | 0.6 oz | 18 |
| Angostura bitters | 0.6 oz | 18 |
BatchPour tools produce estimates for planning purposes only. Actual dilution, ABV, and ingredient yields vary by technique, ice temperature, and produce. Always taste and adjust. Drink responsibly.
If you like the Vieux Carré, try…
Old Fashioned
whiskeyWhiskey, sugar, bitters — the original cocktail, built in the glass.
Whiskey Sour
whiskeyBourbon, lemon, and sweetener — the essential American sour.
Manhattan
whiskeyRye, sweet vermouth, bitters — the stately stirred classic.
Penicillin
whiskeyScotch, lemon, honey-ginger, peaty float — a modern classic.
Vieux Carré FAQ
What's in a Vieux Carré?
A classic Vieux Carré is made with rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, bénédictine, peychaud's bitters, angostura bitters. It's stirred and served in a rocks glass.
What is the ABV of a Vieux Carré?
The listed ingredients calculate to approximately 34.3% ABV before added water or ice melt, with approximately 1.92 US standard drinks per serving. Water lowers the concentration but does not change the alcohol quantity.
Should I shake or stir a Vieux Carré?
Stir it. The Vieux Carré is spirit-forward with no citrus, so stirring keeps it silky and crystal-clear.
How do I batch Vieux Carrés for a party?
Scale each ingredient by your number of servings. Open this recipe in the batch planner to choose added water, package sizes and ingredients to hold for service. Preset water percentages are planning assumptions applied to all recipe liquid before dilution, not predictions of ice melt.