Kir (cocktail)

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This drink is designated as an
IBA Official Cocktail
Kir
Type: Wine cocktail
Primary alcohol by volume:
Standard drinkware:
Wine glass (white)
IBA specified ingredients†:
Preparation:
  • Add the crème de cassis to the bottom of the flute, then top up with wine.
Notes: An official Recipe can be found at the International Bartenders Association website.
†Kir recipe at International Bartenders Association

This article deals with the beverage named Kir. For the biblical town of Kir see Al Karak.

Kir is a cocktail made with a measure of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liquor) topped up with white wine.

In France it is usually drunk as an apéritif before a meal or snack. Originally the wine used was Bourgogne Aligoté, a lesser white wine of Burgundy. Nowadays, various white wines are used throughout France, according to the region and the whim of the barkeeper. Many prefer a white chardonnay-based Burgundy, such as Chablis.

It is named after Félix Kir (1876 - 1968), mayor of Dijon in Burgundy, who as a pioneer of the twinning movement in the aftermath of the Second World War popularized the drink by offering it at receptions to visiting delegations. Besides treating his international guests well, he was also promoting two vital economic products of the region.

Following the commercial development of crème de cassis in 1841 the cocktail became a popular regional café drink under the name of blanc-cass, but has since become inextricably linked internationally with the name of Mayor Kir. When ordering a kir, waiters in France now normally ask whether you want it made with crème de cassis (blackcurrant), de mûre (blackberry) or de pèche (peach).

[edit] Variations

Besides the basic Kir, a number of variations exist:

  • Kir Royal - made with Champagne
  • Kir Pétillant - made with sparkling wine
  • Cardinal - made with red wine instead of white
  • Kir Imperial - made with raspberry liqueur instead of cassis, and Champagne
  • Kir Normand - made with Normandy cider instead of wine.
  • Kir Breton - made with Breton cider instead of wine.
  • Cidre Royal - made with cider instead of wine, with a measure of calvados added.
  • Hibiscus Royal - made with sparkling wine, peach liqueur, raspberry liqueur, and an edible hibiscus flower.
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