Vieux Carre Cocktail

WHISKEY COCKTAILS
Written By Rainbow Lasers

A New Orleans Classic with Texas Boldness


The Vieux Carré is New Orleans in a glass: bold, complex, and full of charm. French for “Old Quarter,” it takes its name from the original title of the French Quarter—and much like the city itself, this cocktail doesn’t hold back. It’s one of the most iconic New Orleans whiskey cocktails, a blend of French influence and American spirit that still holds up nearly a century later.

Invented in the late 1930s by Walter Bergeron at The Hotel Monteleone, the Vieux Carré quickly became a staple in The Big Easy. The hotel’s famous Carousel Bar, a slowly rotating lounge installed in 1949, has hosted generations of writers, dreamers, and cocktail lovers. Order a Vieux Carré there today, and you're sipping history.

Traditionally, this cocktail blends rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and two kinds of bitters. It may sound like a handful, but it's remarkably easy to make—and impossible to forget.

Texas Meets New Orleans

While rye is standard in the original recipe, we’re giving it a Texas spin by swapping in Lone Elm Small Batch Whiskey. Distilled grain-to-glass in Forney, Texas, from 100% soft red winter wheat, Lone Elm offers a bold, wheaty richness with a touch of spice. The nose? Think dry, fruity pebbles—unexpected and delicious.

While rye brings dry spice and bite, wheat whiskey delivers a softer, fruit-forward character with a round mouthfeel. It’s a uniquely Texas expression, and Lone Elm is one of the few distilleries crafting wheat whiskey at this level. Whether you’re a whiskey purist or a cocktail adventurer, the Vieux Carré bridges eras, regions, and styles—with a little Texas swagger in every sip.

And good news for our Louisiana neighbors: Lone Elm is now available in select locations across the state—and you just might catch them pouring at the Texas Whiskey Festival.

What Is Bénédictine, Anyway?

Bénédictine is a French herbal liqueur first developed in the 19th century by wine merchant Alexandre Le Grand. It’s made from a blend of 27 flowers, berries, herbs, roots, and spices. The flavor brings together sweet honey, stone fruits, holiday spices, and a gentle herbal finish. It plays beautifully with the soft warmth of Lone Elm whiskey and the depth of vermouth and cognac.

Vieux Carré Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Lone Elm Small Batch Whiskey or your favorite Texas Whiskey

  • 0.75 oz Cognac

  • 0.75 oz Sweet Vermouth

  • 1 tsp Bénédictine

  • 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

  • Garnish: Lemon peel

Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over fresh ice and garnish with a lemon peel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vieux Carré mean?
It’s French for “Old Quarter,” the original name of New Orleans’ French Quarter.

What’s in a Vieux Carré cocktail?
The classic Vieux Carré is made with rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and two types of bitters. We use Lone Elm Texas Wheat Whiskey for a bold twist.

Is it hard to make?
Not at all. Just stir the ingredients with ice and strain into a glass—it’s as easy to make as it is impressive to sip.

Still thirsty for the classics?
Try a Sazerac, Old-Fashioned, or Boulevardier—and don’t miss our full lineup of Texas whiskey cocktails you can shake up at home.