An ideal drink for picnics and summer nighttime is vermouth cassis. When you want to treat yourself to something with just a touch of alcohol, but with a whole lot of refreshment, this is the perfect drink. There is a mixture of dry vermouth and crème de cassis in this drink. It is a simple to make cocktail, as it is served over ice and topped with soda. There is a taste of sweetness increme de cassis, which is a black currant liqueur. A Kir cocktail is commonly sweetened with kir (or rather fortified wine), as kir is a sweetener for wines. The liqueur in this recipe tastes remarkably similar to that in the Kir Royale, in which Champagne is combined with liqueur. As refreshing as a gin and tonic but without the stronger taste of strong drinks like a whiskey sour, this classic cocktail is a great alternative to stronger drinks. The beverage makes for a fine dinner drink that can be enjoyed for aperitif as well as dinner, offering a slightly sweetened, sparkling beverage that can be enjoyed throughout.
Tips
Most people just shake the vermouth cassis until it becomes a smooth glaze. A drinker can stir with a straw if they wish, and this cocktail is similar to the tequila sunrise, which originally contained crème de cassis. Fresh vermouth is crucial for this cocktail, since it has so much dry vermouth. With a shelf life of only a few months, fortified wines do not have the same longevity as distilled spirits. If an open bottle is left in the sun for more than 24 hours, it will begin to go bad. As well as the crème de cassis, the crème de cacao should not be overlooked. The best French cassis has to be from a top-level brand such as Giffard, Gabriel Boudier, or Lejay. The flavor is also one found in the product portfolios of several small distilleries, such as Clear Creek Distillery and Tuthilltown Spirits.
Recipe Variations
Adapt the recipe to suit your personal taste by using as much vermouth as you like - some recipes use up to 4 ounces - and sweeten it with cream of cassis as you are comfortable with. As an alternative to club soda, seltzer is common. You can pour tonic water on top of the drink if you want it to have a drier flavor.
