The cocktail notebook · Wine & aperitif · Liqueur & bitters-led
Kir
Dry wine with blackcurrant sweetness. A wine aperitif made by build.
- Base
- Dry white wine + crème de cassis
- Method
- Build
- Glass
- White wine glass
- Yield
- One drink
Recipe reference: IBA reference recipe. White wine glass and gentle integration are explicit house service choices.
Kir recipe
1 serving · IBA reference recipeMillilitres control this recipe. US fluid ounces are rounded to the nearest quarter ounce for convenience and are not a different recipe ratio. Dashes, spoons, leaves and other non-liquid measures are listed as written.
| Measure | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 90 ml≈ 3 US fl oz | chilled dry white wine |
| 10 ml≈ 0.25 US fl oz | crème de cassis |
Ice: None. Garnish: None.
Learning bar service? Find the Kir in the free course's optional references →
How to make it
- Chill the glass and white wine.
- Measure crème de cassis into the glass.
- Add the measured white wine.
- Combine gently if needed and serve without ice.
Why it works: Cassis is blackcurrant liqueur. The word crème does not mean it is dairy cream.
Common mistakes, useful fixes
Too sweet
verify the 10 ml measure.
Wrong ingredient
blackcurrant syrup is not cassis liqueur.
Warm wine
prepare cold service properly.
Serving the guest
What to tell the guest
Dry wine with blackcurrant sweetness. Cassis is blackcurrant liqueur. The word crème does not mean it is dairy cream.
Dietary and product checks
Check exact products, declared allergens and cross-contact controls before service. Check declared sulphites in the wine and liqueur.
Variations
- Any adaptation needs a recorded recipe and an honest description. Confirm Kir Royal and the available Champagne, including its price.
Where does the Kir come from?
Origin: Origin not yet verified in this edition. (Origin not yet verified in this edition)
This lesson separates a wine cocktail from a lesson on wine itself. The learner needs to identify dry white wine and blackcurrant liqueur, measure their relationship and clarify a sparkling request. The reference supports the Kir Royal substitution, but does not establish the full story of the name.
Kir questions
What changes a Kir into a Kir Royal in the IBA note?
Champagne replaces the still white wine.
What preparation detail matters for this order?
Cassis is blackcurrant liqueur. The word crème does not mean it is dairy cream.
From a recipe to a repeatable skill
Learn the method behind the order.
Kir is an optional reference recipe in Essential Cocktails & Bar Foundations. Useful wine-and-liqueur reference; retain alongside sparkling comparisons.
The course is free. An optional paid certificate tests knowledge in an online exam; it is not an observed practical assessment or an accredited bartending qualification.