Kir
What is Kir?
Kir is a cocktail of French origin prepared by mixing crème de cassis (or blackcurrant liqueur) with white wine. The blackcurrant liqueur is made with softened blackcurrants and gives a strong tarty and sweet flavor to the cocktail. The sweetness of the liqueur and the acidity of the white wine blend wonderfully to craft a delicious mixed drink.
- Kir is traditionally used as an aperitif in its country of origin.
- There are different variations to kir, the most popular one being Kir Royale, which uses champagne instead of white wine.
Other popular kir variations include:
- Kir Pétillant: uses any sparkling wine other than champagne
- Kir Impérial: uses raspberry liqueur
- Cider Royale : uses apple cider and apple brandy
- Tarantino: uses lager
- Pink Russian: uses milk
Origin of kir
This cocktail originated in the Burgundy region of France. There are varying stories about kir’s origins. It is named after Félix Kir, who was a priest in Dijon in the 20th century. Legend has it that he was a hero of the French Resistance during WWII, and also later became the mayor of Dijon. He is credited with first making kir, which was originally made with Aligoté wine. It was later adapted to local variations from other regions. Other stories claim that kir was created in response to the unavailability of red wine during WWII.
Nutrition
Kir contains 268 calories per serving. The blackcurrant liqueur provides decent amounts of magnesium and potassium as well as copper, iron, and phosphorus in small quantities. While there are some potential health benefits, this drink should be consumed responsibly. Overconsumption of alcoholic beverages like kir can lead to health problems, including liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, stroke, and different types of cancers.
Commercial production
Kir is a popular cocktail in many places. It is prepared in the ratio of 1:2 of crème de cassis and white wine. This makes the kir sweet, although some recommend a higher ratio of 1:6. Also, the wine must be chilled beforehand. To prepare the cocktail, half of the wine is poured into the glass, then the liqueur is poured in, and it is then topped with the rest of the wine. Kir is traditionally served in either a flute or wine glass. The approximate alcohol by volume of kir comes to around 12 percent.
Kir recipes
This is a versatile cocktail, which can be adapted into different variations. Here are a few recipes:
FDA regulations
All alcohol related products are regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the US. Blackcurrant liqueur is not specifically mentioned in the Class and Type Designation of the TTB, however any liqueur is defined as containing more than 2.5% of sugar and is made by mixing spirits with fruits, plants, flowers, or juices. Wine is defined as alcohol produced by fermentation of grapes and white wine is identified by color. Some wines must also be defined in geographical terms.
References
Rehm, Jürgen. “The risks associated with alcohol use and alcoholism.” Alcohol research & health : the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism vol. 34,2 (2011): 135-43.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3307043/
Kir, TasteAtlas
https://www.tasteatlas.com/kir