Vieux Carre Cocktail

While New Orleans is known for its unique culture and festive atmosphere, one thing that often goes overlooked is the city's vibrant cocktail scene. From classic takes on old-fashioned drinks to contemporary classics, there’s a drink for everyone – but none more impressive than the Vieux Carre Cocktail.

This timeless tipple was invented in 1938 by legendary bartender Walter Bergeron at the world-famous Carousel Bar inside The Roosevelt Hotel in downtown NOLA. His brilliant combination of cognac, rye whiskey, vermouth, Benedictine and bitters makes for an exquisite flavor that captures all the best aspects of an old-fashioned – perfectly suited to those who enjoy a bit of sweetness and bitter undertones alike.

The name of this iconic cocktail translates to "old quarter" in French – a fitting ode to its home in the heart of Louisiana’s oldest neighborhood. What’s particularly impressive about this drink is that it remains unchanged over 80 years since its release! Its unique blend of ingredients has resulted in many renditions throughout the years (e.g., Gin Carre or Park Avenue), but it still stands as one of New Orleans' signature cocktails by default.