French Pantry Essentials: Real Dijon Mustard and How the French Drink Sirop
France doesn't get its own country guide yet on FoodieMarket — so here's what belongs in a proper French pantry: which Dijon mustard to reach for, and sirop, the fruit-syrup drink almost every other nationality has never tried.
Dijon Mustard: Wholegrain vs Strong
Reine Dijon Strong Mustard is the classic smooth, sharp Dijon — the one you want in a vinaigrette, on a sandwich, or next to a steak. Reine Dijon Wholegrain Mustard (moutarde à l'ancienne) keeps the seeds whole for a milder, more textured mustard that works better on a charcuterie board or stirred into a creamy sauce.
A French twist on horseradish
Reine de Dijon Horseradish Sauce brings the same maison-de-Dijon quality to a less obvious pairing — try it with smoked fish, roast beef, or stirred through mashed potato.
Sirop: France's other national drink
Sirop is a concentrated fruit syrup diluted with water, and it sits in almost every French kitchen cupboard. It's the default drink for kids at home, but it's also the base of proper café orders — ask for a "diabolo" and you'll get sirop topped up with lemonade instead of water.
How to serve it
- Pour about 2–3 tablespoons of sirop into a glass.
- Top up with still or sparkling water — roughly 1 part sirop to 6–8 parts water.
- Add ice.
- Stir, taste, and add a touch more sirop if it's too weak. French households usually go lighter than you'd expect.
Is Dijon mustard protected like Champagne?
No — despite the name, "moutarde de Dijon" describes a traditional production method (brown or black mustard seeds mixed with verjuice or white wine instead of vinegar), not a protected regional name. It can legally be made anywhere, though the classic Dijon-based brands still follow the original recipe.
What's a diabolo menthe?
A French café classic: mint syrup topped up with lemonade rather than plain water, served over ice. It's one of the most-ordered non-alcoholic drinks in France, for adults and kids alike.
Can adults drink sirop too?
Definitely — it isn't just for children. Grenadine and mint syrup are common mixers in French mocktails and cocktails, and a splash in sparkling water makes a quick, easy spritz.