Crème de cassis

Crème de cassis bottled at 15% ABV.

Crème de cassis (pronounced: [kʁɛm də kasis]) (also known as Cassis Liqueur) is a sweet, dark red liqueur made from blackcurrants.^[1]

Several cocktails are made with crème de cassis, including the very popular wine cocktail, kir.^[2]

It may also be served as an after-dinner liqueur or as a frappé.

Ingredients

It is made from blackcurrants that are crushed and soaked in alcohol, with sugar subsequently added.

Origin and production

The modern version of the beverage first appeared in 1841, when it displaced "ratafia de cassis," which had been produced in prior centuries.

While crème de cassis is a specialty of Burgundy, it is also made in Anjou,^[3] England,^[4] Luxembourg, Quebec and Tasmania.^[5]

The quality of crème de cassis depends upon the variety of fruit used, the content of the berries, and the production process. If it is labelled "Crème de Cassis de Dijon," one is guaranteed berries from the commune of Dijon.

In 2015, the new protected geographical indication (PGI) “Crème de Cassis de Bourgogne” has been approved. Promoted by a syndicate of fruit producers and liqueurs companies from Burgundy. This "Crème de Cassis de Bourgogne" guarantees the burgundian origin and the minimum quantity of berries used in its production, essentially the variety Noir de Bourgogne.

Sales

Nearly 16 million litres of crème de cassis are produced annually in France.^[6] It is consumed mostly in France but is also exported.

In popular culture

It is a favourite drink of the fictional detective Hercule Poirot.^[7][8][9]

References

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