Kirsch is a clear fruit brandy made from black cherries, including their pits, which give it a distinctive almond aroma. It originated in Switzerland and France and typically has an alcohol strength of 40-50% ABV.
How it is made
Kirsch is produced by distilling fermented black cherry juice along with the pits. The cherries are fermented whole, allowing the pits to impart their characteristic almond aroma to the spirit during distillation.
How it is served
Kirsch is often served neat or used in cocktails. It pairs well with various liqueurs and champagne. On this site, it appears in cocktails like Blackthorn Cocktail #2, Charleston Collage, Court of the Crimson King, and Kirsch Cosmo.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Киршвассер, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.