Creme de Cassis is a traditional French liqueur made with black currants. Some people will say it should only be made with black currants, but there's many fruit you can make it with if you don't like the astringency of the fruit. Besides currants, black raspberries make a wonderful homemade cassis.

a glass of cassis next to a bowl of fruit

What is Cassis Liqueur?

Creme de cassis is a simply currants or other fruit infused into brandy and sweetened. If you don't grow black currant bushes, you can buy black currants from a farmers market.

A bag of frozen black currants. — Frozen black currants.

If they're out of season, its fine to use frozen black currants.

currants for cassis — A variety of currants. You can use any of them in this cassis recipe.

How to Make Crème de Cassis

It's easy to make, just take your fruit and put it in a jar with cane sugar and brandy. Some people use vodka but it isn't as good. Sticklers will say it should be about 15% alcohol by volume, but I'd encourage you to make it however strong you like. The Images below describe the process.

Black currants in a mason jar sitting on a digital scale. — Measure the currants or other fruit and put them in a jar.

Adding brandy to a jar of black currants. — Add a bottle of brandy.

Adding maple syrup to a jar of black currants and brandy. — Add maple syrup or sugar.

Screwing on a non-reactive lid to a jar of homemade cassis. — Screw on a non-reactive lid and wait for 30 days.

Pouring currants and brandy into a strainer from a jar. — Strain the fruit from the jar.

A top down image of red currant brandy in a mason jar. — Pour the cassis into a jar.

A bottle of homemade creme de cassis with a stopper. — Label and date your jar.

A close up image of a kir royale drink in a champagne flute. — Use the cassis to make drinks, or enjoy as an after dinner digestif.

I never add spices like cinnamon which are too strong and can ruin the delicate flavor, although a vanilla pod can be nice.

dried fruit leftover from soaking in alcohol — Leftover fruit are dry but can be used to make jam.

Sometimes I add a few leaves of Galium triflorum instead of vanilla.

a bottle of liquor — I prefer to make my cassis with black caps. I'd encourage you to experiment with your favorite fruit.

How to use

Black currant liqueur is the key ingredient in Kir Royale: a champagne cocktail made with cassis. Here's a few other ideas too.

Drizzled over vanilla ice cream.
As an appertif all by itself.
Used in baking, and sauces for duck and game.

red kir royale champagne drink in a flute showing rich red color. — Cassis has a rich, dark red color.

More Interesting Drinks and Liqueurs

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5 from 3 votes

Crème de Cassis: The Blackcurrant Liqueur

Homemade cassis flavored with black cap raspberries and a touch of maple syrup.

Prep Time5

Maceration90

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: French

Keyword: Black cap raspberry, Black Currants

Servings: Servings

Calories: 200kcal

Author: Alan Bergo

Cost: 20

Equipment

1 two quart mason jar or similar
1 Fine Strainer

Ingredients

1.5 lbs black currants or other fruit I like black cap raspberries
750 ML bottle of brandy not too cheap, not too expensive*
½ cup sugar or maple syrup or to taste

Instructions

Pick the fruit or currants over for debris or any foreign particles.
Add the currants or other fruit to a glass container such as a mason jar, add the maple or sugar and brandy and stir well until dissolved. Store for at least 30 days and up to six months.
When you're pleased with the flavor, strain without pressing on the berries, then bottle the liquor. Discard the fruit.

Video

Notes

How to Make Kir Royale

Pour ½ oz - 1 oz cassis into a champagne flute, then add 5 oz champagne or prosecco in, tilting the glass at a (roughly) 45 degree angle.

Nutrition

A small glass of cassis liqueur next to a bowl of fruit used to make it.

Comments

KB

August 14, 2024 at 10:57 am

Sounds great - just store at room temperature for the 30 days?

- Alan Bergo
  
  August 14, 2024 at 11:03 am
  
  Yep! Sorry if that was unclear. Alcohol essentially pickles the fruit and makes it shelf stable.
  
Alice

July 02, 2024 at 8:16 am

I just picked organic black currants and blackcaps and will give this a try! Can I use cheesecloth instead of a lid on top of the jar?

- Alan Bergo
  
  July 02, 2024 at 8:18 am
  
  Hello, I’d avoid cheesecloth here as sugar and alcohol invite flies.
  
Gretta

November 28, 2023 at 8:14 am

This turned out so good. I love that you show using different fruit. Black currants aren't really my thing so I used a mix of black raspberries and black currants this year. Incredible flavor with the maple added!!

- Judy Milne
  
  July 02, 2024 at 10:52 am
  
  Could you give the ingredient quantities in grams and ml please? Thank you.
  
Jacqui

October 31, 2020 at 4:17 pm

Yes! Stuff steeped in alcohol!
Can you find rosehips? Any kind really, but maybe not big fat Rosa rugosa you would make into jam, or hawthorn?
Rosehip snaps and hawthorn snaps are best made with fruits that have had some serious frosts. That appears to be your reality ... Best made with a 35-40% neutral grain alcohol or vodka. If you make them now they should be ready for Christmas.

- Jeremy
  
  September 22, 2023 at 10:01 am
  
  This was incredible. I made it with a combo of black caps and currants! Thank you!