The Kir Royale cocktail is everything a holiday drink should be: elegant, beautiful, and oh-so-easy. Two ingredients, that's it: champagne (or sparkling wine) and Crème de Cassis liqueur (black current flavored, it's amazing). If you're not into the Crème de Cassis, you can also make it with Chambord (raspberry flavored liqueur, also delish, and just as pretty).
This drink is not only great for Christmas, it's the perfect way to ring in the new year as well. So let's get to it. It'll take you literally 30 seconds to make.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Elegant yet simple to make.
- The blackcurrant liqueur adds a rich, fruity sweetness.
- The Champagne makes it crisp and refreshing. Perfect for celebrations and special occasions.
- Easy to customize with different garnishes or sparkling wines.
- It feels fancy without being over the top.
- Great balance of sweetness and fizz.
- Pairs well with a variety of appetizers and finger foods - perfect for those holiday parties!
Frequently Asked Questions
A Kir Royale is a classic French cocktail made with Crème de Cassis (a blackcurrant liqueur) and Champagne. It’s a sparkling, fruity drink with a touch of sweetness, perfect for celebrations. It’s a fancier version of the original Kir, which uses white wine instead of Champagne.
For a Kir Royale, you want a dry sparkling wine like Brut Champagne. You can also use Prosecco or Cava if you're looking for a more affordable option. Avoid anything too sweet, since the Crème de Cassis will add plenty of sweetness on its own.
Crème de Cassis is a sweet, dark red liqueur made from blackcurrants. It has a rich, fruity flavor with a hint of tartness.
Yes, you can totally make a non-alcoholic Kir Royale! Here's how:
Replace Champagne with a non-alcoholic sparkling wine or even a sparkling water like club soda.
Swap the Crème de Cassis for a blackcurrant syrup or a similar fruity syrup (pomegranate or blackberry work too).
Ingredients
Crème de Cassis:
- Role: Adds sweetness and a rich, fruity flavor with hints of blackcurrant.
- Why it’s important: It’s the key flavor component, giving the cocktail its distinctive taste and deep color.
Champagne (or other dry sparkling wine):
- Role: Provides the bubbly, effervescent base that lightens and refreshes the drink.
- Why it’s important: It balances the sweetness of the Crème de Cassis and adds a celebratory fizz.
Optional Garnishes (lemon twist, fresh berry):
- Role: Enhance the drink’s visual appeal and add a hint of extra flavor or aroma.
- Why they’re important: They make the cocktail look more elegant and can add a subtle, complementary flavor, and an aromatic touch.
How to Make a Kir Royale
This is the easiest cocktail ever. Here's what you do.
Chill your Champagne: Place the bottle in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or in an ice bucket for about 30 minutes.
Pour Crème de Cassis: Add about ½ oz of Crème de Cassis into a chilled champagne flute.
Top with Champagne: Slowly fill the glass with Champagne (about 4 oz), pouring gently to avoid excessive bubbles.
Garnish (optional): Add a lemon twist or a fresh berry for an extra touch.
That's it. That's the recipe.
Variations
It's so easy to experiment and play around with these flavors. Here are a couple of ideas for you!
Berry:
- Crème de Cassis: Use a raspberry liqueur or blueberry liqueur.
- Garnish: Fresh raspberries or blueberries.
Citrus:
- Crème de Cassis: Replace with orange liqueur or lemon liqueur.
- Garnish: Lemon twist or a slice of orange.
Spiced:
- Crème de Cassis: Swap for spiced pear liqueur.
- Garnish: A cinnamon stick or a thin slice of pear.
Herbal:
- Crème de Cassis: Try herbal liqueur like St-Germain (elderflower liqueur).
- Garnish: A sprig of fresh mint.
More Delicious Cocktails
📖 Recipe
Kir Royale Cocktail
Ingredients
- ½ oz Creme de Cassis if you like your drink sweeter, add a full ounce
- 4 oz sparkling wine such as Brut Champagne
- lemon twist, fresh berries for garnish
Instructions
- Chill your Sparkling Wine: Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or chill in an ice bucket for 30 minutes.
- Pour Crème de Cassis: Add ½ oz of Crème de Cassis into a chilled champagne flute.
- Top with Sparkling Wine: Slowly fill the glass with 4 oz of Champagne, pouring gently to avoid excessive bubbles.
- Garnish: Add a lemon twist or a fresh berry if desired.
Notes
- Glassware: Use a champagne flute for the best presentation and to preserve the bubbles.
- Serving Temperature: Serve the cocktail immediately after pouring to ensure it's cold and fizzy.
- Pouring Technique: Pour the Champagne slowly to minimize foam and preserve the bubbles. Hold the bottle at a slight angle.
- Quality Matters: Choose a high-quality Crème de Cassis and Champagne or sparkling wine for the best flavor.
- Stirring: Avoid stirring the cocktail, as it can cause the bubbles to dissipate quickly.
- Storage: Store any leftover Crème de Cassis in a cool, dark place to maintain its flavor.
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Hi, I'm Cara! I'm a food writer, journalist, and recipe developer. I'm obsessed good food, good wine, good cocktails and entertaining. I've picked up a few tips over the years, and love sharing them with others.
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