Crème de Cassis

French blackcurrant liqueur — intensely purple, sweet, tart.

Liqueurs Burgundy, France 20% ABV
Flavor profile: sweetfruity

Crème de cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur, traditionally made in Burgundy by macerating fresh cassis berries in neutral spirit and sweetening the result. The color is nearly black; the flavor is deep, tart, and fruity. A Kir is white wine with a splash of cassis; a Kir Royale substitutes Champagne. In an El Diablo, cassis adds a tart berry character that elevates the tequila-ginger-lime structure into something more complex.

History

Made in Burgundy since the 19th century, cassis was the Kir's signature ingredient when Canon Félix Kir, mayor of Dijon after World War II, promoted the drink as a regional specialty.

Common uses

Kir Royale, El Diablo.

Cocktails that use Crème de Cassis

  • El Diablo — Tequila, crème de cassis, lime, and ginger beer — a devilishly good highball
  • Kir Royale — Crème de cassis topped with Champagne — the aristocratic French aperitif