Constructing out a house bar can really feel like opening Pandora’s field; when you get began, it is solely then that you just notice the sheer quantity of choices there are for liquor, liqueur, cremes, bitters, and syrups. Amongst these, crème de cassis would possibly catch your eye. For those who’re a French speaker, you will know that crème de cassis interprets to cream of blackcurrant, which is a small, darkish purple berry recognized for its tart and candy taste.
Crème de cassis has a wealthy, candy tart taste with a velvety texture, and the colour is often a phenomenal garnet or deep purple. The “crème” label is a bit deceptive, because it refers back to the liqueur’s candy syrupy consistency fairly than any added dairy — so it’s protected for vegan pals to sip on. A crème de cassis ought to have at the least 400 grams of sugar per liter, with a 15% or above alcohol content material — the perfect bottles use native French blackcurrants.
The liqueur originated within the mid-Nineteenth century within the Burgundy area of France, the place blackcurrants are considerable. Nonetheless, blackcurrant liqueurs had been doubtless loved throughout France even earlier, influenced by the Arabs’ introduction of ratafia — a kind of fruit-based liqueur. By the 1800s, a model generally known as ratafia de cassis, a rural liqueur fortified with brandy, turned widespread. Round 1841, it developed into what we now name crème de cassis in Dijon, the capital of the Burgundy area.
How you can use crème de cassisAlexander Prokopenko/Shutterstock
Crème de cassis could be loved chilled and served straight as much as sip on throughout apertivo time. Probably the most widespread makes use of of the liqueur is within the French cocktail known as Kir, a traditional aperitif made by mixing crème de cassis with a dry white wine, sometimes a Burgundy white. There are variations to this drink: Kir Royale is crème de cassis topped with champagne, whereas Kir Breton is the liqueur blended with cider.
Outdoors of France, crème de cassis has discovered its solution to the USA, the place it shines within the El Diablo cocktail, a mixture of tequila, ginger ale, and lime. Apparently, the liqueur additionally pairs properly with one other tequila cocktail, the Tequila Dawn, the place it might probably exchange the grenadine syrup. With this substitution, it’s usually known as a Tequila Sundown due to the darker coloration.
Like different creme liqueurs, there are cooking functions for crème de cassis. The sweetness and berry taste makes it a simple ingredient to include right into a velvety, jammy glaze for meats. Whip up a purple-hued dressing to present greens a fruity twist, or use it to make a wealthy marinade for greens and proteins. The liqueur is a surprising solution to high desserts like ice cream or cheesecake, and it is a good way to raise easy berry sauces or jams.
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