Homemade Creme de Cassis

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!

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!

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.

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

Equipment for Making Your Own Liqueur

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

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