🥃 Crème de cassis
Blackcurrant liqueur: in the EU the name “crème de cassis” needs blackcurrants, over 400 g/l sweetening products and at least 15% ABV; protected names Cassis de Dijon, de Bourgogne, de Saintonge.
Crème de cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur. Under Regulation (EU) 2019/787 the legal name “crème de cassis” may only be used for liqueurs produced with blackcurrants that contain more than 400 g/l of sweetening products, expressed as invert sugar. It belongs to category 34, “crème de…”: at least 15% ABV, at least 250 g/l of sugar in general, and raw materials that exclude milk products. The fruit named must give the drink its predominant flavour. Blackcurrant is among the fruits whose liqueurs may be flavoured only with flavouring foodstuffs, flavouring preparations and natural flavouring substances.
Protected names. The EU register of geographical indications lists three French protected geographical indications for spirit drinks: Cassis de Dijon (protected from 12 June 1989), Cassis de Bourgogne and Cassis de Saintonge (both from 13 February 2008).
Kir. The International Bartenders Association gives the kir as 10 ml of crème de cassis poured into a glass and topped up with 90 ml of dry white wine. For a Kir Royal, champagne is used instead of white wine.
Why this matters to you. With more than 400 g of sweetening products per litre the liqueur is very sweet, so recipes use small measures. If origin matters, look for a protected name on the label. WHO: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | 34 (crème de…; legal name “crème de cassis”) |
|---|---|
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 15% ABV |
| Raw material | blackcurrants, spirit, sweetening products over 400 g/l |
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, category 34(g); EU register: Cassis de Dijon, Cassis de Bourgogne, Cassis de Saintonge (PGI) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Crème de cassis → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Used in
- 🍷 Kir, 🍷 Kir royal
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍇 Crème de… liqueur
- Related to
- 📍 Burgundy
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Cassis de Dijon, 🥃 Cassis de Bourgogne, 🥃 Cassis de Saintonge
- In other topics
- 🍷 White wine
Frequently asked questions
Is crème de cassis a cream liqueur?
No. In “crème de…” liqueurs milk products are excluded from the raw materials under Regulation (EU) 2019/787. Crème de cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur.
How much sugar is in crème de cassis?
More than 400 g/l of sweetening products, expressed as invert sugar. Other “crème de…” liqueurs have at least 250 g/l, and liqueurs in general at least 100 g/l.
How is a kir made?
According to the IBA: pour 10 ml of crème de cassis into a glass and top up with 90 ml of dry white wine. For a Kir Royal, use champagne instead of white wine.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The French are the main population of France, known for the festive meal and baguette on UNESCO's list, for wine and for cheese.
- 📍 Burgundy — A chain of vineyard slopes in eastern France from the Yonne to Beaujolais; 84 AOCs, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- 🍷 Kir — A French aperitif: white wine with blackcurrant liqueur.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Crème de menthe · 🥃 Crème de cacao · 🍇 Crème de… liqueur · 🥃 Anisette · 🥃 Ratafia · 🥃 Marula Cream Liqueur
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 33 Liqueur and category 34 Crème de (point (g): 'crème de cassis' — blackcurrants, sweetening products over 400 g/l)
- eAmbrosia: Cassis de Dijon (PGI-FR-01991, spirit drink, EU protection from 12.06.1989)
- eAmbrosia: Cassis de Bourgogne (PGI-FR-02075, EU protection from 13.02.2008)
- eAmbrosia: Cassis de Saintonge (PGI-FR-01986, EU protection from 13.02.2008)
- IBA — International Bartenders Association: Kir (10 ml crème de cassis, 90 ml dry white wine; Kir Royal with champagne)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)