Kir (White Wine and Blackcurrant)
Why this recipe works
- Ready in minutes: The drink is built directly in the glass, with no shaking, stirring or additional preparation needed.
- Balanced sweetness: Crème de cassis adds rounded blackcurrant sweetness while dry white wine keeps the finish crisp rather than heavy.
- Best served cold: Using well-chilled wine and, ideally, a chilled glass keeps the apéritif bright, clean and refreshing.
Get the most out of this recipe
Cocktail variations
- Make a kir royale: Replace the dry white wine with Champagne or another dry sparkling wine for a more celebratory version.
- For a drier drink: Use a little less crème de cassis so the wine’s acidity and freshness come through more clearly.
- For a sweeter finish: Add a touch more crème de cassis if you prefer a fuller blackcurrant flavour and softer acidity.
Timing notes
- Serve immediately: Kir is best made to order and served straight away while the wine is cold and fresh.
- Chill before mixing: Use well-chilled wine, and chill the glass if possible, for a cleaner and crisper apéritif.
Ingredient notes
- Choose a dry white wine: A crisp dry white wine balances the sweetness of the cassis and keeps the drink light.
- Adjust to taste: The balance can be made drier or sweeter by changing the amount of crème de cassis slightly.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour the crème de cassis into a small wine glass. Slowly top up with the chilled dry white wine, pouring down the side of the glass so it blends gently. Serve straight away, cold.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Chill the glass for a cleaner, crisper apéritif.
- For a drier kir, use a little less crème de cassis; for a sweeter one, add a touch more.
Substitutions
- Replace Dry White Wine with Champagne for a kir royale.
Storage
- Best made to order. Once mixed, serve immediately as the drink will lose its freshness if left to stand.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 1 glasses
- Total time: 5min (5min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: French
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