What it tastes like
Concentrated blackcurrant fruit, slight earthiness, gentle bitterness, dry finish for a liqueur. Lejay sources Noir de Bourgogne blackcurrants from Burgundy, which give the liqueur more depth than supermarket cassis.
Drinks at 20% ABV with full body. Less syrupy than Chambord, drier than most fruit liqueurs.
How to drink it
Kir (white wine and cassis), Kir Royale (sparkling wine and cassis), El Diablo (tequila, cassis, ginger beer, lime), Vermouth Cassis. The classics that made the bottle famous.
Decent over ice with a strip of lemon peel. The brand encourages this serve.
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Burgundy and the cassis tradition
Crème de Cassis comes from Burgundy, France, where blackcurrants have been distilled into liqueurs since the 1800s. Lejay-Lagoute was founded in 1841 in Dijon and has been making cassis ever since.
The Kir cocktail (white wine and cassis) was named after Felix Kir, the mayor of Dijon, who served it at official receptions in the 1940s and 50s. The drink and the brand have been linked ever since.
Why Lejay is the textbook
Crème de Cassis is a protected category in France. The Crème de Cassis de Dijon designation requires a minimum sugar content and use of Noir de Bourgogne blackcurrants. Lejay meets the standard and is widely considered the benchmark.
Best cocktails to make with Crème de Cassis (Lejay)
Crème de Cassis is the Kir Royale liqueur. Also stunning in El Diablo and Vermouth Cassis.
How it stacks up
How Crème de Cassis compares to other berry liqueurs.
| Liqueur | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Crème de Cassis | Blackcurrant, dry, rustic | Kir Royale, El Diablo |
| Chambord | Black raspberry, sweet, cognac | French Martini, spritz |
| Combier Cassis | Drier still, French | Cocktails, classic recipes |
| Giffard Cassis | Brighter blackcurrant | Cocktails, Kir |
| Generic blackcurrant cordial | Sweet, no alcohol | Mocktails |
Substitutions and swaps
Crème de Cassis is a specific style; sub carefully.
Lejay is the textbook. Other premium cassis (Combier, Giffard) work fine.
Don’t sub cassis. Different berry. Cassis is drier and earthier.
Chambord at half the volume plus a squeeze of lemon is a stretch substitute. The drink will run sweeter.
Cassis plus sparkling wine, ratio 1:9 to 1:5 depending on taste.
Use less than the recipe says. Cassis is concentrated.
You want raspberry. Buy Chambord.
You want syrupy sweetness. Most cassis is drier than the average fruit liqueur.
You can’t find a premium brand. Cheap cassis is too sweet and lacks depth.
Where to buy Crème de Cassis (Lejay)
Where to buy
Lejay Crème de Cassis is at premium bottle shops. Worth the climb to find it instead of cheap supermarket cassis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people ask about this bottle.
What is Crème de Cassis?
Crème de Cassis is a French blackcurrant liqueur, traditionally from Burgundy. The Crème de Cassis de Dijon designation requires a minimum sugar content and use of Noir de Bourgogne blackcurrants. Lejay is one of the textbook producers, founded 1841.
Is Crème de Cassis good?
Yes, especially the premium versions (Lejay, Combier, Giffard). The supermarket budget bottles are too sweet and lack the dryness and depth of the Burgundy originals.
What does Crème de Cassis taste like?
Concentrated blackcurrant, slight earthiness, gentle bitterness, dry finish (for a liqueur). Less sweet than Chambord; more rustic than supermarket fruit liqueurs.
Cassis vs Chambord?
Different berries. Cassis is blackcurrant; Chambord is raspberry. Cassis is drier and earthier; Chambord is sweeter and more luxurious. Don’t substitute one for the other.
What is a Kir?
A Kir is white wine with a splash of crème de cassis. Kir Royale uses sparkling wine instead. Both originated in Burgundy and were made famous by Felix Kir, the postwar mayor of Dijon.
Can you drink crème de cassis neat?
Yes, over ice with a lemon twist. Common as a French aperitif.
Is Crème de Cassis gluten-free?
Yes. Made from blackcurrants, neutral spirit, sugar.
What is the best cocktail to make with Crème de Cassis?
A Kir Royale: 15ml crème de cassis topped with chilled sparkling wine. Or an El Diablo: 50ml tequila, 15ml crème de cassis, 25ml fresh lime, top with ginger beer over ice.
