Kir is a cocktail made with a measure of crème de cassis topped up with white wine.

It is named after Félix Kir (1876 - 1968), mayor of Dijon in Burgundy, who as a pioneer of the twinning movement in the aftermath of the Second World War popularized the drink by offering it at receptions to visiting delegations. Besides treating his international guests well, he was also promoting two vital economic products of the region.

Following the commercial development of crème de cassis in 1841 the cocktail became a popular regional café drink under the name of blanc-cass, but has since become inextricably linked internationally with the name of Mayor Kir.

Besides the basic kir, a number of variations exist:

• Kir Royale - made with sparkling wine
• Cardinal - made with red wine instead of white
• Kir Imperial - made with raspberry liqueur instead of cassis, and champagne
• Kir Normand - made with Normandy cider instead of wine (a kir Breton is the same except using cider from Brittany). If a measure of calvados is also added, the result is known as a cidre royal.