Kir Cocktail

Try the Kir drink: a classic French two-ingredient cocktail! This sophisticated aperitif combines crème de cassis and white wine.

Before Kir Royale, there was an even simpler drink: did! This classic French cocktail blends two ingredients for a sophisticated aperitif. Mix the crème de cassis, the fruity currant liqueur, with a fresh dry white wine. Pouring takes only a minute and the taste is delicate and nuanced: it almost tastes like a dry red wine, but with stronger berry notes. Want the most popular version of this drink? Go to Kir Royale.

What is a kir drink?

The Kir cocktail is a French aperitif made with crème de cassis and dry white wine. It has been eclipsed by its popular variant, the Kir Royale, which swaps sparkling champagne for wine. The drink was originally called blackcurrantbut was later renamed in honor of Priest Félix Kir, a hero of the French Resistance during World War II and mayor of the French city of Dijon from 1945 to 1968. Some stories claim Kir invented the cocktail after the Nazis confiscated all the region’s wines Burgundy. (therefore the drink tastes like red wine!).

The Kir cocktail was originally made from French Aligoté wine, but today it is made from different grape varieties. You can use any dry white wine of your choice. What you need for a kir cocktail:

• Cassis
• Dry white wine

The ideal ratio for the Kir cocktail

There is controversy over the best creme de cassis to wine ratio for a kir cocktail. The International Bartender’s Association defines it as 1:9 (one part blackcurrant to 9 parts white wine), but for our taste the blackcurrant is too weak. Other sources say the French like it with a much stronger blackcurrant ratio, up to 1:3. That’s a bit too strong, so we recommend the following ratio:

• 1 ounce crème de cassis
• 4 ounces dry white wine

Variation: Serve over ice

A traditional kir cocktail is served straight from a small wine glass (and the kir royale is served in a champagne flute). Want an alternative idea? A modern way to serve kir is over ice, with a large cube of clear ice in a lowball glass. We tried this variant and liked the feel: the clear ice keeps it extra icy. And there’s just something casual about sipping from a lowball glass (sometimes stemmed glasses feel… more primitive and strained?).

About Creme de Cassis

Is it worth taking a bottle of crème de cassis with you for this drink? Absolutely. It’s also a fun way to reuse gear if you bought it for a Kir Royle. Here’s what you need to know:

• Cassis is a black and sweet liqueur based on blackcurrants. It is made in Burgundy, France and was first available in 1841.
• How much does crème de cassis cost? It’s a bit pricey: you can find a 750ml bottle for $10-15. We love the Drillaud brand.
• More crème de cassis Cocktail? Outside of the Royale, try El Diablo, a Cassis Spritz (substitute Aperol in an Aperol Spritz), add it to a Royal Flush, or substitute Chambord in a French Martini.