Kir

The Kir cocktail, a delicious and elegant aperitif, has its origins in the heart of France, more precisely in the picturesque region of Burgundy. It was named after Félix Kir, a popular Catholic priest and politician who was mayor of Dijon in the mid-20th century.

Originally, the Kir consists of a mixture of local white wine and the famous blackcurrant liqueur from the Dijon region: Crème de Cassis. The cocktail quickly became popular and developed into a symbol of Burgundian hospitality.

Kir - the epitome of an aperitif cocktail

The Kir cocktail is often enjoyed as an aperitif, a French tradition of drinking a light alcoholic drink before a meal to stimulate the appetite and get in the mood for the meal. The balanced sweetness and moderate alcohol content of the Kir make it a perfect choice as an appetizer.

Kir recipe

Ingredients (for 2 portions):

• 3 cl crème de cassis
• 18 cl dry white wine
• blackcurrants (optional)

Preparation:

1. Pour the crème de cassis into two chilled wine glasses or champagne flutes.
2. Top up with white wine and stir gently.
3. Garnish with blackcurrants if desired.

Kir Royal & other variations

The Kir cocktail is easy to prepare and can be adapted to suit different tastes. Some variations include the Kir Royale, which is made with champagne instead of white wine, and the Kir Imperial, which uses raspberry liqueur.

How do you serve the Kir Cocktail?

The Kir Cocktail is best served chilled in a wine glass or champagne flute and is often enjoyed on warm summer days or as an aperitif in the evening.

The Kir goes perfectly with a range of starters and light dishes, such as cheese platters, pâtés, oysters and seafood. Its fruity sweetness complements the savory and salty flavors of these dishes wonderfully.