Parisian Cocktail
It’s officially summer and when it comes to cocktails that means 3 things: vodka, gin and rum. These are the liquors I like to imbibe when the weather turns warm. There’s just something about lighter liquors, especially when mixed with soda or champagne, that scream summer to me. And since the past two weeks have been all about Italy, I thought I’d keep with the European theme and introduce you to the classic Parisian Cocktail.
While the Parisian uses a fare amount of gin, it’s the other ingredients that make this a suitable summer sipper. Some of the best warm weather cocktails include fruit in one form or another. There’s the Berry Mojito, the Margarita and most tiki cocktails just to name a few. It doesn’t matter if it’s berries, citrus or pineapple, a summer cocktail just isn’t a summer cocktail without it. Made with only three ingredients, the Parisian uses gin (one of my three summer must haves), but it also uses black currants, only these currants aren’t juiced or muddled, instead they’re transformed into the delightful fruity liqueur: Créme de Cassis.
I love Créme de Cassis. Both the Kir and Kir Royale are a couple of my favorites. While neither uses a hard alcohol like gin or rum, they’re very tasty thanks to the fruity liqueur that’s used as its base. As I mentioned, most summer cocktails include fruit, but you don’t have to limit yourself to actual fruit juices. Don’t get me wrong, fresh fruit is amazing in cocktails. But fruity liqueurs are just as tasty and save so much time. There’s no chopping or muddling, yet you still get that sweet, fruity zing that makes you think of warm summer nights on the porch swing. The currant-based Créme de Cassis is lusciously sweet and tart without being cloying, which is why it goes so well with low ABV liquors like champagne and wine while also holding its own with harder alcohols like gin and vodka.
Unlike the Kir Royale which is a low ABV cocktail that’s all about celebration, the Parisian is a sweeter, more sophisticated drink that packs a punch. See, the Royale is made with just champagne and Créme de Cassis, whereas the Parisian is equal parts gin, vermouth and Créme de Cassis. So, one can be enjoyed all night long at celebrations, whereas the other is a one-and-done type of cocktail. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a taste. On the contrary, it’s absolutely worth a sip, especially if you’re a gin fan like me. Created in the 1920’s as part of a campaign to promote the Créme de Cassis liqueur, the combination of gin, vermouth and Créme de Cassis, makes for a delightful drink that’s perfect for a summer dinner party or evening wedding on the Moors.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 ounces London dry gin
- 1-1/2 ounces dry vermouth
- 1-1/2 ounces Creme de Cassis
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until chilled.
- Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with a twist of lemon or blackberries and serve.
