"creme de cassis" news and stories

Photo: REC(ession)IPES

Times are tough, but that doesn't mean we should stop sipping on drinks like this stylish sangria. In fact, an uncomfortable economic climate might be just the reason to sit down with a lavish-looking cocktail or two.

This sangria from REC(ession)IPES is made using rosé, crème de cassis, strawberries, raspberries and pineapple, and sparkles with seltzer. It's even somewhat nutritious, thanks to all of that beautiful fruit. Best of all: It costs less than a dollar per serving to make. We'll have three!

[Via Rec(ession)ipies]

Gretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

I'm opening a lot of sparkling wines these days in preparation for my exam, and a girl can only drink so much bubbly plain.

Enter the classic sparkling wine cocktail, Kir Royale. If you're not familiar with this gem, here's the short history: A guy named Canon Felix Kir, who was mayor of Dijon, France and a hero of the Burgundian resistance movement during World War II, loved to drink his Aligote, a dry, acidic white Burgundian wine, with a splash of crème de cassis, a locally produced liqueur made from blackcurrants. He served the cocktail at official town functions and it caught on.

Kir Royale is simply a Kir made with sparkling rather than still white wine. And did I mention it's gorgeous? After the jump, several versions to try and the basic recipe.