The Two-Ingredient French Wine Cocktail You Need To Try

Whether you're entertaining loved ones at home or enjoying a night on the town, cocktails take a joyous occasion to the next level. It's true that many cocktails call for numerous ingredients, all of which must be meticulously mixed for the perfect balance. For instance, The Drinks Business reports on a cocktail that contains an astounding 71 ingredients. Known as the Commonwealth Cocktail, the drink was created to honor the 2014 Commonwealth Games and features ingredients from each of the participating nations.

Of course, you don't need 71 ingredients to create an outstanding cocktail. In fact, many of the best creations only contain three to four ingredients, such as the classic Manhattan. This tasty concoction consists of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters, and a cherry garnish. Surprisingly, some cocktails call for even fewer ingredients, much to the delight of put-upon bartenders and emerging mixologists everywhere. One delicious beverage consists of only two ingredients, but in no way sacrifices taste as a result.

According to Difford's Guide, the Kir was first developed in 1904 in Dijon, France. It was at this time that a waiter working at Café George was inspired to combine white wine and crème de cassis, a sweet liqueur. The drink was originally called the Cassis Blanc, that is until the Mayor of Dijon took a liking to it. Canon Félix Kir was a well-known politician and former Catholic priest, as well as being instrumental to the French resistance during WWII. Kir was also passionate about introducing Dijon and its creations to the rest of France, which led to the cocktail being christened in his name.

Despite dogged promotional efforts, the Kir owes much of its appeal to its interesting flavor combination. While white wine offers a bright and acidic flavor, crème de cassis is much richer and deeper in its flavor profile. Lejay-Legoute is credited as the "first liqueur-maker of Dijon" and was responsible for developing the first-ever brand of crème de cassis. Consisting of black currants and offering a velvety texture, this liqueur is integral to the tastiness of the Kir. It's also an important player in one notable variation of the cocktail.

Like other cocktails, the Kir also has quite a few variations. Its most famous remix, as described by Liquor.com, is the Kir Royale. Like the Kir, its royal cousin calls for crème de cassis. However, the white wine in the original recipe is replaced with Champagne or another type of sparkling wine. The recipe couldn't be easier. Pour ½ ounce of crème de cassis into a flute, add a dollop of Champagne, and don't forget the lemon twist garnish.

The result is a visually appealing and complexly flavored cocktail that can be prepared in a matter of seconds. The dryness of the Champagne plays a similar role as white wine in the original Kir, but the addition of bubbles makes for a real palate-pleaser. And if you're a fan of raspberries, consider giving the Kir Imperial a try. With this cocktail, you keep the bubbles but swap out the crème de cassis for a raspberry liqueur. Chambord manufactures one of the most famous raspberry liqueurs on the market, which consists of raspberries, blackberries, and black currants. With a base of Cognac, this liqueur is known for its complex flavors and fragrant aromas.