Please pardon the kir pun; I want to discuss the idea of “curiosity,” which is at the heart of C. Cassis. Simply beholding the bottle itself, there are numerous curiosities and striking features: the Santorini-esque blue-and-white label; the Matisse-inspired graphic “C”; the white-wax-coated cap; and finally, the contrast of these elements to the jewel-purple-toned elixir inside. But perhaps the most curious aspect is the descriptor of the cassis itself: aperitif.
I call attention to this label, because traditional cassis—a typically French liqueur made from black currants—is about as far from an aperitif as Welch’s grape juice is to Gevrey-Chambertin. There’s a thick, rich, and savory gaminess to cassis that’s almost reminiscent of Syrah. Which is what makes the idea of a cassis aperitif so curiously compelling.
We’re in an interesting place when it comes to contemporary drinking culture. There’s certainly a trend toward lighter, lower-alcohol options and zero-proof cocktails are no longer an afterthought. Indeed, these considerations were at the forefront of C. Cassis founder Rachael Petach’s mind when initially contemplating her enterprise.
Conceived in New York City, and brought to fruition in the Hudson Valley, there’s a freshness and levity to her cassis that speaks to today’s drinkers. For those enamored of cassis’s fruitiness, you’ll find plenty of that here, backed by a spicy, herbal brightness, and jaunty acidity. What you won’t find is the leaden, syrupy thickness of more mainstream cassis. And whereas traditional cassis can achieve ABVs of 20% or higher, C. Cassis comes in at a palatable 16%. Which makes it amenable not only to a variety of cocktail applications but a variety, too, of people consuming them. As it refreshingly declares on the label, this is a cassis “For All People.”
Tart & Tonic
MAKES ONE COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS
2 ounces C. Cassis Aperitif
1/2 ounce January Spirits Genepy
1/2 ounce Tart Vinegar True Romance Tonic Water to top
DIRECTIONS
Combine in a highball glass with ice and stir. Garnish with a bay leaf and lemon wheel.
