Communard (Kir Rouge) - Red Wine & Creme de Cassis Cocktail

The Communard is a two-ingredient red wine cocktail made with dry red wine and crème de cassis. The wine supplies acidity, tannin, and fruit, while the cassis adds concentrated blackcurrant sweetness. Served well chilled, it lands between aperitif and wine spritzer territory without requiring dilution or complicated technique.

Background

The Communard is generally treated as a red-wine member of the Kir family and is also called Kir Rouge. Its exact naming history is less firmly documented than the better-known Kir, so claims tying the name to a specific political origin should be treated cautiously. The core idea is straightforward: cassis added to red wine instead of white.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Red wine - provides the dry, fruity base and most of the drink's structure.
• Crème de cassis - adds blackcurrant aroma, deep color, and sweetness.

A light to medium-bodied dry red such as Beaujolais works especially well. Chambord can create a raspberry-led variation, but it is not a direct flavor match for cassis.

Equipment

• Red wine glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon

Wine First, Cassis in Support

The best versions keep the wine recognizable. Crème de cassis is concentrated and sweet, so it should round the wine rather than overpower it. Serving both ingredients cold makes the sweetness feel cleaner and keeps the drink aperitif-like.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use Beaujolais for a lighter, fruitier version.
• Use a dry Pinot Noir for a more delicate red-wine base.
• Reduce the cassis slightly for a drier drink.
• Replace cassis with blackberry liqueur for a darker berry variation.
• Add a small splash of sparkling water for a lighter spritz-style serve.

Helpful Tips

• Chill the wine and glass before building.
• Add the cassis first so the wine helps distribute it.
• Stir only briefly to avoid warming the drink.
• Skip heavy garnishes; a thin lemon twist is enough if you want extra aroma.
• Pair with cheese, charcuterie, or other salty aperitif snacks.