Kir is a popular French cocktail made with a measure of crème de cassis topped up with white wine. In France it is usually drunk as an apéritif before a meal or snack. There are also many variations of the kir, the most notable being the kir royale, which uses Champagne or Prosecco. There are other versions that use cider or different liqueurs as well.
The French martini was invented in the 1980s at one of Keith McNally's New York City bars. It next appeared on the drinks menu at McNally's Balthazar in SoHo in 1996. There are many variations to the French Martini. Some replace the vodka with gin, which offers a botanical twist to the cocktail.
The Russian Spring Punch is a highball cocktail made with vodka, Crème de cassis, sugar syrup, and lemon juice. The cocktail was created in the 1980s by Dick Bradsell. Basically a spiked Kir Royale over ice. It is named for the russian vodka, and the Tom Collins, which is a spring drink.