Cocktail - The Choice of a gentleman

The icy margaritas and G&Ts of summer are now history. The windy autumn rain and soon the winter cold are at the door, forcing us indoors. And with the rain beating against the windows, what could be more tempting than plopping down on the sofa in front of the fireplace with a delicious cocktail.

And a true gentleman might opt for a true classic, a Vieux Carré. Despite the French-sounding name, it's a cocktail with American origins. More specifically, it originates from The French Quarter in New Orleans. The name translates directly to something like 'The Four-sided Square'.

New Orleans is nicknamed the Big Easy and located on the banks of the Mississippi River. And in this drink, the sum of everything that the city has to offer is poured into a low cocktail glass. French spirits in the form of fine cognac, American bourbon, sweet vermouth, a touch of Bénédictine liqueur and a few drops of Angostura bitters. It delivers a warm and spicy flavor that goes great with the crackling fire in the fireplace. A cocktail that, if anything, can make you relax.

No matter how many times you've mixed a Viuex Carré, this 'New Orleans meets France' drink will deliver an exquisite array of flavors. It's calming and often leads to a long evening of solemn conversation and profundity. Although it's a cocktail that has more ingredients than most classic cocktails, it's certainly worth mixing up.