Vieux Carre’

The Vieux Carre may not be the oldest cocktail in the canon of classics, but it carries the weight and depth of a drink steeped in tradition. Pronounced “Voo-ka-RAY” and meaning “old square” in French, the name pays homage to the historic French Quarter of New Orleans—its spiritual home.

First stirred to life in the mid-1930s by Walter Bergeron, then head bartender at the Monteleone Hotel, the Vieux Carré is often misattributed to the hotel’s now-famous Carousel Bar. But history tells a different story—the Carousel wouldn’t begin its slow spin until 1949, years after the cocktail’s debut. Still, the Monteleone remains a cornerstone of cocktail lore, and the Vieux Carré is part of its legacy.

New Orleans has gifted the world with more than just music and Mardi Gras; it’s also the birthplace of the Sazerac, the Gin Fizz, the Hurricane—and yes, the Vieux Carre. This cocktail stands proudly among its peers, blending rye whiskey, Cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, and bitters into a deeply layered and aromatic drink. Finished with a twist of lemon peel, it’s an elegant nod to a city that knows how to savor life, one sip at a time.

If you have the chance, enjoy one at the Carousel Bar, which rotates once every 15 minutes. Drink carefully, though—those first few steps can be tricky! Print