A Vieux Carré, a Cigar, and a Quiet Sunday Evening

Sunday afternoons are our time to relax, reflect on the past week, and prepare for the one ahead. It’s still not quite warm enough outside for Sunday afternoon cocktails on the deck, accompanied by a cigar, but the “apéritif” tradition continues. Since there was a football game being played in New Orleans that evening, we paid homage to the city by mixing up some Vieux Carré cocktails to enjoy with a snack.

The Vieux Carré originated at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans in the 1930s. The name, French for “old square,” refers to the city's renowned French Quarter. It’s a more complex cocktail than our usual Negronis or Old Fashioneds, but I had all the necessary ingredients on hand. Though the recipe appears lengthy, it’s actually quite simple to make.

The Vieux Carré

• 3/4 ounce rye whiskey
• 3/4 ounce cognac
• 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1/2 ounce Bénédictine liqueur
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
• Cherry or lemon twist, garnish

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir to chill, and strain into a glass. I prefer serving it over a large ice rock with a Luxardo cherry garnish. For the whiskey component, I used Pikesville Rye — its 110-proof strength adds a nice spice balance to the bitter and sweet elements.

The balance of sweet, spice, and citrus made for a refreshing drink. We enjoyed ours with a simple spread of cheese, crackers, and mixed nuts. 

After finishing our drinks, I decided to head out to the deck for a quick cigar before sunset. The Black Label Trading Company Bishops Blend cigars in my humidor had been calling my name, especially since I still have samples dating back to 2020. I grabbed one of the 2024 sticks to enjoy.

The 5 x 48 Robusto features an Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper, an Ecuador Habano binder, and a blend of Nicaraguan, Connecticut Broadleaf, and Pennsylvania Broadleaf filler tobaccos. It delivers rich flavors of coffee, cocoa, and dark fruit, with a hint of black pepper adding depth to the profile.

The weather was pleasant, though I turned on the heater for a bit of extra warmth. I kept things simple, pairing the cigar with just a glass of water while acoustic blues played softly on the radio. After about an hour of peaceful relaxation, I headed back inside, where Colleen was preparing a delicious "Seven Layer Mexican Hot Skillet Dip." We feasted on that while half-watching the football game — muting the halftime “performance.”

It was a great way to start what promises to be another cold, wet, and snowy week. Hopefully, we’re nearing the end of this long season.

Cheers!