Kir

The Kir is a classic French cocktail beloved for its simplicity and refreshing taste. It combines the sweet, rich fruitiness of blackcurrant liqueur (crème de cassis) with the crisp acidity of a dry white wine, traditionally a Burgundy Aligoté. This creates a beautifully balanced drink that is both light and flavorful, with a striking ruby-blush hue. It is the perfect pre-dinner drink, or aperitif, to awaken the palate without overwhelming it.
Kir

Preparation

Preparation time: 1 minute

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Kir is a quintessential classic aperitif, a category of drinks served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Its composition of wine and liqueur places it firmly in the wine cocktail family. It is celebrated for its elegance and simplicity, making it a benchmark for classic French aperitifs.

Serving

This drink is served cold in a chilled white wine glass or a flute, with an alcohol content similar to a standard glass of wine. It's a small, elegant drink meant for sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 135 ml / 4.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 12-14% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
White wine glass
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The drink is named after Félix Kir, a Catholic priest and hero of the French Resistance who served as the mayor of Dijon, France, from 1945 to 1968. He famously popularized the drink by serving it at official receptions to visiting delegations. This was a clever way to promote two of the region's main agricultural products: Burgundy Aligoté wine and crème de cassis.
Origin
The Kir originated in the Burgundy region of France, where both its key ingredients have been produced for centuries. It gained widespread popularity and its current name in the mid-20th century, thanks to the efforts of Dijon's mayor, Félix Kir. Before that, it was simply enjoyed locally as a blanc-cassis.

Kir

Before being named after Dijon's mayor Félix Kir, this drink was commonly known as "blanc-cassis." This original name is very descriptive, literally translating from French to "white [wine] with blackcurrant." The modern name "Kir" is now internationally recognized, but blanc-cassis may still be encountered in parts of France.
Original name
Kir
Alternative name
Blanc-cassis

Characteristics overview

The Kir presents a delightful balance of sweet blackcurrant and tart wine, with a clean, fruity aroma and a smooth, light texture. Its appealing blush color and refreshing character make it a perfect year-round aperitif.
Flavor
Fruity, blackcurrant, grape, sweet, tart
Aroma
Berry, wine, fruity
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, fruity, short
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pinkish-red, blush, transparent
Texture
Smooth, light-bodied, crisp
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink is moderately fruity and sweet, balanced by the light acidity of the wine. It has a low alcohol presence and is not carbonated, bitter, or creamy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

To make a Kir, you only need two ingredients: a good quality crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and a crisp, dry white wine like a French Aligoté or Sauvignon Blanc.
  • Dry White Wine120 ml / 4 oz
    Traditionally made with Burgundy Aligoté. A dry, crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio also works well.
  • Crème de Cassis15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A sweet, dark red liqueur made from blackcurrants. The ratio to wine can be adjusted to taste, from 1:5 to 1:10.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

The beauty of the Kir is its simplicity, as it requires no special bar tools. It is a "built" drink, meaning the ingredients are poured directly into the serving glass.
  • No special equipment needed; built directly in the glass.

Instructions

This cocktail is built directly in a chilled wine glass. Simply add the crème de cassis first, then gently pour the chilled white wine on top to combine.
1. Chill your white wine glass or flute in the freezer for about 10 minutes before serving.
2. Pour the crème de cassis into the bottom of the chilled glass.
3. Gently top with the chilled dry white wine. Pouring the wine gently will help it mix naturally with the liqueur.
4. Serve immediately as is, or with an optional lemon twist.

Garnishing

A Kir is typically served without a garnish to maintain its elegant simplicity. If a garnish is desired, a lemon twist can be expressed over the drink to add a touch of citrus aroma.
  • Lemon twist (optional)

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets, assuming the wine used is not fined with animal products.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

The Kir is a relatively light cocktail in terms of calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, with most of the sugar content coming from the crème de cassis liqueur.
Calories
averagely 130-150 kcal / 544-628 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
averagely 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
averagely 9-11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Kir is a versatile drink perfect as a classic aperitif before a meal to whet the appetite. Its light and refreshing nature also makes it ideal for brunches, receptions, and casual afternoon sipping, especially in warmer weather.
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Brunch
  • Celebrations
  • Summer afternoon

Pairing suggestions

The Kir pairs beautifully with classic French appetizers. Its balance of fruit and acidity cuts through the richness of cheeses like chèvre and complements savory pastries such as gougères. It is also an excellent companion to a charcuterie board or other light, salty snacks.
  • Goat cheese (chèvre)
  • Charcuterie boards
  • Gougères (savory cheese puffs)
  • Light appetizers and canapés

The Kir: A Taste of Burgundian Elegance

The Kir is a timeless French aperitif, embodying elegance in its simplicity. It consists of just two ingredients, crème de cassis and dry white wine, which combine to create a refreshingly fruity and balanced drink. Named after Félix Kir, the mayor of Dijon who popularized it, this cocktail is a celebration of Burgundy's local products. Perfect for sipping before a meal or at a sophisticated gathering, the Kir is a staple of French café culture and a testament to the idea that the best things are often the simplest.

Variations

Kir Royale

Replaces the still white wine with Champagne for a bubbly, more festive version.

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