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    Home » Cocktails

    Homemade Creme de Cassis

    Published: Jan 13, 2020 · Modified: Aug 16, 2022 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    This Homemade Creme de Cassis recipe will make a homemade liqueur that you can use in cocktails, add to wine or champagne or just drink on its own. All you need are black currants, vodka, and sugar. It's sweet, dark, delicious, and easy to make!

    Jump to Recipe

    Most of you know I love to grow as many things as I can every year. When we moved into our house a few years ago I planted a black currant and white currant bush. We finally got a decent crop after a few years other than the occasional handful. I was so excited of course I posted a photo of my beautiful black currants. One of my good friends saw the photo and immediately said: "you should make homemade creme de cassis". To sum it up, after a quick head smack, I thought to myself: "Of course I should!!"

    What is Creme de Cassis?

    First, what is Creme de Cassis? Well, cassis is the French name for blackcurrants and creme de cassis is a liqueur made from blackcurrants steeped in neutral spirits, with lots of sugar added. I've actually always loved creme de cassis and it's pretty easy to find at your liquor store. Now you can make my own!

    a handful of freshly picked black currants

    How To Make Creme de Cassis

    1. Start with clean and pesticide-free black currants. Place the black currants, vodka, sugar, and cinnamon stick into a large jar that seals (like a mason jar). Place the lid on the jar and shake all of the ingredients together.
    2. Store in a cool dark place like a basement or lower cabinet. For 3 months, shake the jar every 2-3 days (or as you remember).
    3. After 3 months, strain the mixture with a fine-mesh strainer and pour the liquid into a sealable bottle.
    4. Allow the liqueur to mature for 2 more months for optimal taste.
    homemade creme de cassis in a bottle and a glass

    What type of alcohol should I use?

    Vodka is best alcohol to use because it has a neutral taste and can pick up other flavors very well. That being said, don't use a flavored vodka or a vodka with a lot of botanicals. Don't use an expensive vodka. Certainly, if you go cheap, you will taste it. In other words, the middle of the road is best. I used Tito's Vodka which runs under $20/bottle.

    What to use Creme de Cassis for:

    • Drink as a digestif or aperitif
    • Give it as a gift
    • Cocktails! (see one of my recipes below)
    • Make a classic Kir Royale, just add to champagne or sparkling wine
    • Add to white wine
    homemade creme de cassis in glasses on a table

    Equipment for Making Your Own Liqueur

    homemade creme de cassis in a glass

    Homemade Creme de Cassis

    Make your own black currant liquor from scratch to add to cocktails, champagne and more!
    5 from 27 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Steep Time: 150 days
    Total Time: 150 days 5 minutes
    Servings: 3 cups
    Calories: 101kcal
    Author: EmilyFabulous

    Equipment

    • funnel
    • mesh strainer
    • sealable jar (like a Mason jar)
    • sealable bottle

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups black currants, rinsed (pesticide-free)
    • 3 cups vodka
    • 1 cup sugar ( I used demerara )
    • ½ cinnamon stick

    Instructions

    • Place the black currants, vodka, sugar, and cinnamon stick into a large jar that seals (like a mason jar). Place the lid on the jar and shake all of the ingredients together. Store in a cool dark place like a basement or lower cabinet.
    • For 3 months, shake the jar every 2-3 days (or as you remember).
      jar of homemade creme de cassis after 3 months
    • After 3 months, strain the mixture and pour the liquid into a sealable bottle. Allow the liqueur to mature for 2 more months for optimal taste. Cheers!
      homemade creme de cassis

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1oz | Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.8g | Protein: 0.1g | Potassium: 30mg | Sugar: 8.3g | Calcium: 5mg

    Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    Creme de Cassis Cocktail Recipe

    • 1½ oz. Gin
    • ½ oz. Creme de Casis
    • ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
    • ½ oz. fresh grapefruit juice
    • 1 egg white
    1. Add the egg white to an empty shaker and shake for 20-30 seconds.
    2. Put the rest of the ingredients along with ice and shake again for another 20 to 30 seconds.
    3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
    4. Garnish with lemon or grapefruit peel and enjoy!

    Check out more of my cocktail recipes below:

    • Classic Daiquiri
    • Black Walnut Bitters Cocktail Recipes
    • Modern Negroni
    • Gin Elderflower Cocktail Recipe
    • Homemade Luxardo Cherries
    homemade creme de cassis in flip top bottles
    Click on the image above to PIN to your Pinterest board!

    Did you make this Homemade Creme de Cassis?

    Did you make this recipe or try this cocktail? Tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me what you made! Don't forget to sign up for my email list and follow me on Pinterest to get more recipes and ideas in your inbox.

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      Black Vodka

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chuck Pelto says

      February 11, 2023 at 12:52 pm

      RE: KIr

      1/2 oz Creme de Cassis
      6 oz Chablis

      Reply
      • Emily says

        February 11, 2023 at 6:55 pm

        Great combo!

        Reply
    2. Gina Abernathy says

      June 18, 2021 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      Sounds so refreshing!

      Reply
    3. Genevieve says

      June 18, 2021 at 2:18 am

      5 stars
      This cocktail sounds delicious and perfect for summer!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        June 18, 2021 at 2:28 am

        Defintiely a summer favorite!

        Reply
    4. Julia says

      June 17, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      5 stars
      I've never ever considered making a creme de cassis before and yet I do and have made sloe gin. This is such a fantastic liqueur to use in fruity puddings and I grow black currants so I'm going to give this a go.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        June 17, 2021 at 3:41 pm

        A pudding with creme de cassis sounds amazing! Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
    5. Gabriela Herrera says

      June 17, 2021 at 11:15 am

      5 stars
      No freaking way I love currants. It is a top seller in my area. This is a must try.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        June 17, 2021 at 3:42 pm

        Yes! All it takes is a big jar and some patience. 😂

        Reply
    6. Gregory Halpen says

      June 16, 2021 at 10:55 pm

      5 stars
      As soon as I can find fresh currants - I am making this recipe. Looks super delicious. A perfect addition to a summer cocktail.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        June 17, 2021 at 1:02 am

        The best time is usually July...so hang tight and get ready for some delicious liqueur!

        Reply
    7. Nora says

      June 16, 2021 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      Your recipe is so great! I can finally make crème de cassis myself at home! I'm totally happy! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        June 16, 2021 at 8:15 pm

        So glad to hear it, Nora! I love it when you can make something you like at home.

        Reply
    8. Sue says

      June 16, 2021 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      I love this! I never know what to do with black currants, but this is definitely the best answer! Homemade Creme de Cassis, here I come!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        June 16, 2021 at 8:15 pm

        Black currants can be tricky since they are on the sour side but this recipe will give you a delicious liqueur worth picking those berries for!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Emily! I'm excited to share my passions, experiments, and fun with you. I love to cook, bake, create recipes, mix cocktails and try new things!

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