Homemade Crème de Cassis Liqueur (Print)

Traditional French blackcurrant liqueur crafted with fresh berries and neutral spirit. Ideal for cocktails and desserts.

# Components:

→ Fruit

01 - 1 lb 2 oz fresh blackcurrants, cleaned and stems removed

→ Sugar

02 - 1 lb 2 oz granulated sugar

→ Alcohol

03 - 24 fl oz vodka or neutral spirit, 40% ABV minimum

→ Optional

04 - 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

# Directions:

01 - In a large sterilized glass jar, combine blackcurrants and sugar. Gently crush berries with a potato masher or wooden spoon to release their juices.
02 - Add vodka and vanilla bean if using. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
03 - Seal the jar tightly and store in a cool, dark place. Shake or stir the jar daily for 7 days to dissolve sugar and infuse flavors.
04 - After 7 days, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bowl, pressing solids to extract maximum liquid.
05 - Filter again if clearer liqueur is desired. Pour into sterilized bottles and seal tightly.
06 - Store in a cool, dark place. The liqueur is ready to use immediately but improves with age.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • You'll discover that making liqueur is surprisingly forgiving and demands almost no special equipment beyond what's already in your kitchen.
  • The smell alone—that deep berry perfume filling your home for a week—becomes its own reward before you even taste it.
  • Homemade crème de cassis tastes nothing like the bottled versions; it's brighter, more alive, and impossible to buy at any price.
02 -
  • Sterilization matters more than you might think—even one speck of bacteria can spoil your entire batch, so run your jars and bottles through the dishwasher or boil them and let them dry completely.
  • The daily stirring isn't optional busywork; it's what actually dissolves the sugar and ensures even infusion, so don't skip this step even once.
03 -
  • If your blackcurrants are frozen (which is actually fine to use), thaw them completely and drain excess moisture before starting, as frozen berries release more liquid and can throw off the balance.
  • The 'shake or stir daily' step is where most people falter, but set a phone reminder or do it during your morning coffee routine—consistency matters more than perfection here.
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