Will's Cocktail Corner: VIEUX CARRÉ

Recipe & Photo By: Will Taylor (Nashville, TN)

Will first experienced this cocktail when it was made for him by bartender Ross Duvall at Stir in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In his opinion, Ross still makes the best version of the cocktail, but that hasn't stopped him from doing his usual thing where he tries to tweak recipes to his liking.

The Vieux Carré is a 1930s cocktail of French origin. Its origin in the US can be tracked back to New Orleans, which was established by French settlers.

It's known for its sweetness, and Will likes to lean into it with a heavier use of Benedictine to add more sweet-complexity.

Ingredients:

3/4 oz Rye Whiskey

3/4 oz Cognac

3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth

1/4 oz Benedictine

3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters

1 Luxardo Cherry

Steps:

1. Combine all ingredients into a tall mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir for about 20 seconds.

3. Strain into an old fashioned glass (either straight or over a large cube or sphere).

4. Add a Luxardo Cherry

5. Enjoy!

Many classic cocktails can be traced to New Orleans, as many French brought a love for classic French cocktails with them. The sweetness of this cocktail is both delicious and complex, making it one you should have in your arsenal when entertaining.