cassis
(kæˈsiːs)
[Fr., black currant; black-currant liquor, app. f. L. cassia (see cassia1).]
A syrupy liquor made from black currants and used chiefly to flavour vermouth, spirits, etc. Hence vermouth cassis.
| [1877 E. S. Dallas Kettner's Bk. Table 106 Cassis, the French name for black currants and for the syrup made from them. The cassis of Dijon has a great reputation..as a cooling drink.] 1907 Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 100/2 Cassis, made from Black Currants grown in Burgundy. 1911 Beerbohm Z. Dobson xxiv. 346 Vermouths secs, vermouths cassis. 1913 C. Mackenzie Sinister St. I. ii. x. 312 We always play billiards in the evening, and drink cassis. 1948 A. Waugh Unclouded Summer iii. 25 A vermouth cassis and a cigarette. 1954 W. Faulkner Fable (1955) 47 The bottle of wine..and one of cassis. |