Black Currant and Cassis Cocktail (Printable)

A refreshing French aperitif combining crème de cassis with chilled white wine for a sweet-tart finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Alcohol

01 - 3.4 fl oz crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur)
02 - 10.1 fl oz chilled dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Aligoté

→ Garnish

03 - Fresh blackcurrants or lemon twists for garnish
04 - Ice cubes, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place two wine glasses in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill thoroughly before preparing the cocktail.
02 - Pour 1.7 fl oz of crème de cassis into each chilled wine glass.
03 - Add 5.1 fl oz of chilled dry white wine to each glass over the crème de cassis.
04 - Stir gently with a bar spoon to blend the liqueur and wine while preserving the wine's effervescence.
05 - Place a few ice cubes into each glass if desired.
06 - Top each glass with fresh blackcurrants or a lemon twist and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's foolproof enough to make while your guests are still arriving, yet elegant enough to impress even wine-savvy friends.
  • The balance between sweetness and acidity means it pairs beautifully with almost any appetizer without overwhelming the palate.
02 -
  • Don't skip chilling the glasses—it's the difference between a drink that stays crisp throughout and one that becomes diluted after two sips.
  • Stir gently enough that you're blending flavors but not so vigorously that you bruise the wine or lose its subtle structure.
03 -
  • Buy a good bottle of cassis if you can; the quality really shows in such a simple drink where nothing hides.
  • Keep everything—glasses, wine, even the measuring jug—in the coldest part of your kitchen before you begin, so temperature does half the work.
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