C. Cassis 'CC Spritz' NV Can 355ml

C. Cassis is made by Rachael Petach right here in Rhinebeck in the Hudson Valley! A visionary, an alchemist, and an overall delight of a person, Rachael fell in love with cassis while WWOOF*-ing (*Worldwide Opportunities On Organic Farms) in France and decided to return to the States and craft her own libations utilizing New York-grown blackcurrants. The popularity of cassis spread from Burgundy, France, to the US in the 1840s, and soon many American distillers began growing their own blackcurrants. However, US production came to an abrupt halt in 1911 when it was discovered that the blackcurrant was a host for white pine blister rust, posing a severe threat to the timber industry, and the growing of blackcurrants was banned. Luckily, in 2003, thanks to improved scientific knowledge about blister rust, rust-resistant varieties of blackcurrant, and the lobbying efforts of Dutchess County farmer Greg Quinn, New York State lifted the ban. C. Cassis now buys most of their fruit from Greg, in fact! The ‘CC Spritz’ is a not-too-sweet sparkling blackcurrant cocktail in a can, made with lightly fermented Hudson Valley blackcurrants, botanicals including citrus peel, cardamom, bay, and verbena, a touch of wild honey, and crisp, clean seltzer - that’s all! Delicately (not overwhelmingly) sweet, sparkling, and utterly refreshing!