Crème de cassis (French pronunciation: [kʁɛm də kasis]) (also known as Cassis liqueur) is a sweet, dark red liqueur made from blackcurrants. Several cocktails are made with crème de cassis, including the very popular wine cocktail, kir.
Why is it called crème de cassis?
The etymological origins are fascinating: the word is a combination of arak, meaning liqueur made from fruit, and tafia, the Arabic word for rum. Fortified with brandy and made with blackcurrants harvested in less than ideal conditions, the drink was strong, alcoholic, and probably relatively coarse.
Chambord is a branded French liqueur made with raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants. Crème de cassis is made with blackcurrants. It’s dark, thick, syrupy and sweet. It will make your Kir Royales more intensely pink and sweet (similar to a Cosmopolitan on both accounts).
What flavor is Cassis?
First created in Burgundy more than 150 years ago, it’s made from macerated black currants, giving it a rich, layered dark-berry flavor balanced by the tannins and tartness you might associate with blackberries. Cassis can be quite sweet, and it’s easy to go overboard.
Crème de cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur
The blackcurrant liqueur is made through a process of infusion and maceration.
Does cassis go off?
(Storage advice : Keep your Creme de Cassis de Dijon in the refrigerator after opening. It will retain all its colour and flavour for at least 4 months.
Should you refrigerate crème de cassis?
The alcohol content should be between 15 and 20 percent. Shelf Life. An unopened bottle could last many years as long as it is stored in a cool dry place. Once opened you should finish fruit liqueur within a few months and store it in a cool location.
Originally developed in the Burgundy region of France during the 1800s, creme de cassis is made by macerating neutral spirits with blackcurrants (AKA cassis) and a touch of sugar for a liqueur that is equal parts tart and sweet, with a rich berry flavor that ramps up the fruitiness of anything you might mix it with.
Is grenadine the same as creme de cassis?
Grenadine shares creme de cassis’s essential taste as both have blackcurrant flavors, although grenadine carries other fruit flavors as well, with pomegranate being the strongest. Grenadine’s sweetness and its red color make it a cocktail ingredient staple.
Can you use creme de cassis instead of grenadine?
Creme de Cassis is a dark liqueur that is mildly sweet and has the taste of blackcurrants. It is not the best substitute for grenadine but if you have nothing else on hand you can give it a try. But you will have to make a few adjustments if you want your result to be like it was made with grenadine.
What’s a substitute for Chambord?
If you don’t have Chambord you can substitute:
1 teaspoon raspberry extract per 2 tablespoons Chambord needed (no alcohol) OR Use equal amounts of raspberry juice. OR 2 tablespoons of Creme de cassis (black currant flavor)
