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.
Ingredients
| Rye whiskey | 1 oz |
| Cognac | 1 oz |
| Sweet vermouth | 1 oz |
| Bénédictine | 0.25 oz |
| Peychaud's bitters | 0.05 oz |
| Angostura bitters | 0.05 oz |
| Total volume | 3.35 oz |
Garnish: Lemon twist
Tip: change “Make” to scale the recipe, or switch units for the metric world.
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?
Here's a pre-calculated batch of 12 with 22% dilution water built in. Scale to any number with the batch calculator →
| Ingredient | × 12 | Bottles |
|---|---|---|
| Rye whiskey | 12.0 oz | 1 |
| Cognac | 12.0 oz | 1 |
| Sweet vermouth | 12.0 oz | 1 |
| Bénédictine | 3.0 oz | 1 |
| Peychaud's bitters | 0.6 oz | 1 |
| Angostura bitters | 0.6 oz | 1 |
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?
A classic Vieux Carré is approximately 34.3% ABV — about 1.92 US standard drinks per serving once you account for dilution.
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 every ingredient by your guest count, then add about 22% dilution water. The BatchPour batch calculator does the math for any number.