The Kir Cocktail: Short Name, but a Sweet Taste
- By Maria Fatkhieva
- Published 09/27/2011
- Recipes
- Unrated
For a soft to the lips, berry flavored-like cocktail lovers, the classic Kir Cocktail is a must. A simple and relaxing cocktail with just two ingredients-creme de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) mixed with a splash of white wine consumed in France prior to a meal or snack in a classy wine glass. This drink was originally called blanc-cassis which was made with primarily red wine.
The Kir Cocktail became a popular drink in French cafes in the middle of the 19th century, and it's popularity increased in the Second World War through mayor of Dijon in Burgundy, who offered it at receptions to visiting delegations as a pioneer. With his twist on the traditional drink, the change of red wine to white, the Kir Cocktail was named after Felix Kir. Because he was fond of the local white wine mixed with reme de cassis, his fondness began to be attributed to his desire to promote local products, the sweetness of liquor offsetting the acidity of the local wine and his passion for drinking.
There are many variations of this popular drink which still carries the Kir tradition. The traditional recipe consists of a simple pouring of creme d
e cassis into a wine glass and gradually adding the dry white wine. There are the many other choices of substituting red wine for the white (Cardinal), Breton cider for the white wine (Kir Breton), substituting Normandy cider for the white wine (Kir Normand), substituting Champagne for the white win (Kir Royale which is normally served in a Champagne flute) and even substituting raspberry liqueor for the creme de cassis and Champagne for the white wine (Kir Imperial).
Because of the various types of Kir Cocktail, location is the key as to how traditional this Kir Cocktail will be. Many people infuse their own tastes and add a distinctive touch for the drink which can alter the taste of the original cocktail. With the many different options of the Kir Cocktail, waiters in France sometimes offer the options of the Kir Cocktail made with creme de cassis which is blackcurrant, de mure which is blackberry or de peche which is peach. Drink uses using 1/10 creme de cassis (10 milliliter with 90 milliliter of white wine) although the French sources typically add more.
Whether it is the traditional Kir Cocktail that you consume or the Kir with a twist before and or after your meals, it is definitely a pleasant drink to enjoy.
The Kir Cocktail became a popular drink in French cafes in the middle of the 19th century, and it's popularity increased in the Second World War through mayor of Dijon in Burgundy, who offered it at receptions to visiting delegations as a pioneer. With his twist on the traditional drink, the change of red wine to white, the Kir Cocktail was named after Felix Kir. Because he was fond of the local white wine mixed with reme de cassis, his fondness began to be attributed to his desire to promote local products, the sweetness of liquor offsetting the acidity of the local wine and his passion for drinking.
There are many variations of this popular drink which still carries the Kir tradition. The traditional recipe consists of a simple pouring of creme d
Because of the various types of Kir Cocktail, location is the key as to how traditional this Kir Cocktail will be. Many people infuse their own tastes and add a distinctive touch for the drink which can alter the taste of the original cocktail. With the many different options of the Kir Cocktail, waiters in France sometimes offer the options of the Kir Cocktail made with creme de cassis which is blackcurrant, de mure which is blackberry or de peche which is peach. Drink uses using 1/10 creme de cassis (10 milliliter with 90 milliliter of white wine) although the French sources typically add more.
Whether it is the traditional Kir Cocktail that you consume or the Kir with a twist before and or after your meals, it is definitely a pleasant drink to enjoy.
Maria Fatkhieva
Alcomixer is a community that provides its members with recipes, articles, useful tips, and other information relating to cocktails. We make it easy for everyday people to make not-so-everyday-cocktails. You can find out how to make the Kir cocktail today by taking a look at our kir recipe.
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