8 French Alcoholic Drinks To Try This Year 

Whether you’re enjoying a late-night aperitif or shouting a round of cocktails on a wild Saturday night out, one thing is for sure – French alcoholic drinks are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. 

France has a long and storied history in the production of alcohol, and as a result, the world is blessed with a large variety of liqueurs which can be enjoyed in any number of ways. 

This week on the Paris Teachers Club blog, we dive bottle-first into nine of the best French alcoholic drinks, their histories and how best to enjoy them. 

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1. Pastis 

Taste: Aniseed, sweet and ideal for fans of liquorice! 

Cocktail recommendation: “French Pearl” (gin, pastis, lime and mint).

Pastis is a pale French spirit that has been enjoyed across the country for almost a century. The aniseed-flavoured drink was manufactured as a replacement for the then-banned absinthe, and can be compared to the Greek spirit ouzo. This high-alcohol aperitif is often served with lots of ice, mixed into various cocktails or diluted with water before enjoying.

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2. Cognac 

Taste: Available in a variety of flavours including sweet, dry, spicy and bitter.  

Cocktail recommendation: “Sidecar” (cognac, triple sec and lemon juice).

Cognac is a twice-distilled French brandy that originated in the region surrounding the eponymous town in the southwest of the country. Made using a base of white wine, cognac is enjoyed across the world. Cognac must meet a strict distillation process, and is then graded according to its age. Cognac is enjoyed on its own, as a base for other liqueurs, or in any number of fantastic cocktails. 

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3. Absinthe 

Taste: Liquorice, herby, bitter. 

Cocktail recommendation: “The Sazerac” (whiskey / brandy, sugar, bitters and absinthe).

A notorious French spirit with a fascinating history, absinthe is known for its brilliant emerald to more muted green hue and its robust anise flavour. Absinthe, while legal in most parts of Europe now, wasn’t for many years during the 20th century, after spikes in crime were attributed to the strong spirit’s potential for inducing hallucinations. Now produced with regulated amounts of the toxic chemical once used as the reasoning for its prohibition, “The Green Fairy”, as absinthe is sometimes known, is available in a large variety of styles and strengths.

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4. Crème de cassis  

Taste: Robust, berry, sweet. 

Cocktail recommendation: “Kir” (crème de cassis and white wine).

With roots that date back centuries, crème de cassis is one of the most beloved French alcohol drinks and one that is used as a basis for many delicious cocktails. Created using blackcurrants, crème de cassis is a rich, dark red liqueur that is ideal for lovers of berry-flavoured drinks. Traditionally, the drink is made using fruit harvested near Dijon, in France’s Burgundy region. 

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5. Wine

Taste: There are endless varieties of French wine to satisfy your own unique palette! 

Cocktail recommendation: “White Wine Spritzer” (white wine and sparkling water / club soda).

France is home to over 200 wine varieties produced by over 27000 wineries, so you’re guaranteed to find a French wine that tingles your taste buds! From rich and robust reds like Bordeaux and Burgundy, to crisp, summery whites like Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, sampling and getting to know French wine is an enjoyable learning process.

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6. Kirsch 

Taste: Low-key, cherry, nutty. 

Cocktail recommendation: “Kirsch Royale” (kirsch, champagne and crème de cassis).

Kirsch is a delicate French alcoholic drink made by distilling sour cherries, and the word “kirsch” is short for “kirschwasser”, which is produced across the border in Germany. However, many top quality kirsch varieties are made in France, particularly in the Alsace region. This brandy aperitif is traditionally enjoyed neat as an after-dinner refreshment. Many people still use kirsch as a base ingredient in fondue, and in many cherry-based desserts.  

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7. Chartreuse 

Taste: Herby, strong, spicy. 

Cocktail recommendation: “Bijou” (gin, vermouth and chartreuse).

Ranging in colour from green through to yellow, chartreuse is a French alcoholic drink that has been made since the early 18th century. With a distinct taste that is a mix of the herbs, spices and plants that go into its production, like cinnamon and lemon balm, chartreuse is enjoyed neat or as a cocktail base. There are many varieties, from robust green chartreuses through to more mild yellow chartreuses.  

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8. Champagne 

Taste: Available in a variety of styles, from sweet and fruity to floral and crisp. 

Cocktail recommendation: “Classic champagne cocktail” (champagne, bitters, sugar and lemon).

To wrap up our list, we have saved the mother of French alcoholic drinks for last – champagne! This strictly-regulated drink is produced using grapes from the Champagne region of France, and today you can enjoy 15 different styles of champagne. Champagne is the drink of choice for celebrations across the world, and its fizzy, carbonated zing makes enjoying a flute of it extra special. Cheers! 

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What are your favourite French alcoholic drinks?

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