🍷 Kir

Kir is a French aperitif. It is made from white wine and blackcurrant liqueur. The liqueur is called crème de cassis. The drink comes from Burgundy, and by tradition it uses white wine from the Aligoté grape.

It is simple to prepare. A little liqueur is poured into a glass and topped up with cold white wine. The result is a pinkish drink with a berry taste, light and not too strong. It is served before a meal because it is refreshing and stimulates the appetite.

The name is linked to Canon Félix Kir, mayor of Dijon. He popularised the cocktail in the middle of the 20th century.

Next to it stands kir royal: the same drink, but made with sparkling wine, such as Champagne, instead of still white wine. Kir belongs to wine cocktails. As with any alcohol, it should be drunk in moderation. In Burgundy it is often seen as a simple everyday aperitif, and at the table it usually opens the dinner.