Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (2024)

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Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (1)

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This Kir Royale co*cktail is a classic and elegant French drink that is simple to prepare with just 2-ingredients

Kir Royale’s are complex in flavor and they look gorgeous!

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Kir Royale’s are enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to a TV show about an American girl in Paris, but the best reason is simple – they are delicious!

These berry-kissed co*cktails have been a favorite of mine for years. One sip will transport you to France. However, don’t let the simple ingredient list fool you because they have a big deep flavor. Time to break out your prettiest champagne flutes!

I had my first Kir Royale co*cktail years ago in Dijon, France. Later, I learned that Dijon, which is in the Burgundy region, is the birthplace of the Kir Royale along with many other well-known foods such as beef bourguignon, coq au vin, and of course Dijon mustard.

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Table of contents

Ingredients for Kir Royale co*cktails

Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (2)
  1. Crème de Cassis – This blackcurrant liqueur has a deep burgundy color and gives this classic co*cktail its gorgeous color and flavor. The French word for blackcurrants is “cassis”. Want to know more about Cassis liqueur? See more info below.
  2. Champagne – Use a dry Brut Champagne or sparkling wine because it helps balance the sweet flavor of the cassis (the word Brut is French for “dry”). A mid-level priced Champagne works well since it’s being mixed with a sweet liqueur. No need to break out the very best Champagne for this co*cktail, however, be sure to use something you would like to drink even if it wasn’t mixed with liqueur.
  3. Garnish – A lemon twist is a classic choice. We love fresh raspberries or blackberries for garnish.

How to make a classic Kir Royale co*cktail

  • Chill champagne flutes and Champagne ahead of time for the best results
  • Add Crème de Cassis to a chilled champagne flute
  • Tilt the flute slightly and pour in the Champagne slowly. This helps preserve the bubbles
  • Garnish with a few raspberries or a lemon twist and enjoy!
Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (3)
Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (4)
Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (5)

What is Crème de Cassis?

Crème de cassis is a Frenchliqueur that’s made from blackcurrants, which are small, purple berries that have a sweet and tart flavor. Blackcurrants are beloved in Europe (99% are grown there) and many are grown in the Burgundy region of France.

To make Crème de Cassis the blackcurrants are macerated with a touch of sugar to make the actual liqueur.You can find cassis at liquor stores and at well-stocked upscale grocery stores.

My favorite brand, Gabriel Boudier, is made in Dijon. Gabriel Boudier is the last family-owned cassis house in Dijon and has been producing since 1874. The flavor is amazing!

You can drink Crème de Cassis straight, or on the rocks, as an aperitif.

Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (6)
Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (7)

What’s the difference between a Kir and a Kir Royale?

A Kir co*cktail is a combination of Crème de Cassis and dry white wine. A Kir Royale is Crème de Cassis and Champagne.

According to history, both the Kir and the Kir Royale were named by its creator, a French priest named Canon Félix Kir. He was a hero in the French Resistance during World War II, as well as the Mayor of Dijon from 1945 to 1968.

How to store Crème de Cassis

Prior to opening keep Crème de Cassis stored in a cool dry place. Once the bottle is opened store it in the refrigerator, and if needed, decant it into a smaller container to prevent oxidation.

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Substitution ideas

This simple co*cktail can be varied and here are a few ideas:

  • Crème de Cassis – Often you will see Kir Royale’s made with Chambord which is a black raspberry liqueur. Both are delicious but an authentic Kir Royale is made with Crème de Cassis
  • Champagne – Only sparkling wine made in the region of Champagne, France can legally be called Champagne. A quality Cava or dry sparkling white wine makes a great substitute and can be a better value. Prosecco can be substituted, however, it is sweeter, so the flavor of the co*cktail will be a bit different.
  • If you want to read more about Champagne jump over to our story on Champagne vs Sparkling Wine or read about the Styles of Champagne.

Other great co*cktail ideas:

  • Have Chambord? Try the fabulous French Martini
  • This Blackberry Champagne co*cktailis lightly fruity and 100% gorgeous
  • Our White Sangria uses Prosecco and fresh fruit, and is great for a crowd!

Perfect Party Pairing Ideas:

  • Bite-size Crab Cakes with zesty Homemade co*cktail Sauce are the perfect appetizer for any party
  • Easy Baked Brie with Garlic is always a crowd favorite
  • 5-ingredient Honey Roasted Cashews are an ideal nibble

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Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (9)

Print Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Kir Royale

Classic Kir Royale co*cktail is made with just 2 ingredients. A berry-kissed elegant drink with Champagne and French liqueur Crème de Cassis.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: co*cktails, Drinks

Cuisine: French

Servings: 1 co*cktail

Calories: 100kcal

Author: Cyndy Ufkes ~ The Art of Food and Wine

Equipment

  • 1 Champagne flute

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons Crème de Cassis (or Chambord)
  • 5 – 6 ounces Champagne (Brut recommended), chilled, or dry sparkling wine or Cava
  • fresh raspberries, or a lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions

  • If time allows, chill champagne flute. Clean and prep garnishes

  • Add Crème de Cassis to the champagne flute.

  • Tilt the Champagne flute slightly (this helps preserve the bubbles) and slowly pour the chilled Campagne into flute.

  • Add 2 raspberries to the flute and garnish the rim, with a raspberry, or lemon twist

Notes

  • This recipe is for one co*cktail but can easily be doubled
  • A 750 ml bottle of champagne will make about 5 glasses of Kir Royale
  • If you cannot find crème de cassis consider substituting Chambord
  • Always choose a dry Champagne for this co*cktail, such as Brut. Cava or dry sparkling wine makes a good substitute.

Nutrition

Serving: 1glass | Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 128mg | Sugar: 5g | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deb

    Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (10)
    🥰 love it love it!! And love chambord as well. Perfect for the weekend

    Reply

  2. Savita

    Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (11)
    This looks so refreshing, need to give it a try soon.

    Reply

  3. Toni

    Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (12)
    Such a gorgeous drink!! This is so perfect for Valentine’s Day!

    Reply

  4. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

    Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (13)
    This is one of my favourites that I had forgotten about. So delicious all year round too.

    Reply

  5. Dannii

    Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (14)
    What a refreshing sounding co*cktail. This will be perfect for our next dinner party.

    Reply

  6. Ieva

    Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (15)
    Cannot believe I never heard of Kir Royale before! We had some Chambord left over from Christmas and decided to make these co*cktails last night! Delicious! and I love that it only takes two ingredients for something this nice and refreshing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Kir Royale co*cktail Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Kir co*cktail and Kir Royale? ›

The Kir combines two simple ingredients; a dry white wine made with Aligoté grapes, and Créme de Cassis. The Kir Royale on the other hand, is a carbonated drink that combines the crème de cassis with champagne. The Kir can be drunk at any time, whereas the Kir Royale is reserved for special occasions and celebrations.

Where does Emily in Paris drink Kir Royale? ›

As well as new fashion and film locations to swoon over, viewers have been won over by a drink enjoyed by Emily. She was spotted with her friends drinking a ruby-hued co*cktail during a scene below the Ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde.

What is a substitute for Kir Royale? ›

An authentic Kir Royale must be made with French Champagne! If you substitute another dry sparkling wine such as Italian Prosecco or Spanish Cava, the drink is called a Kir Pétillant.

What does a Kir Royale co*cktail taste like? ›

What Does a Kir Royale Taste Like? A kir royale tastes like a glass of Champagne amped up with a sweet currant flavor. For anyone unfamiliar with currants, their flavor is sweet and tart with a bold, acidic bite: like a ripe, juicy berry with enough acidity to make your mouth pucker.

What is the difference between Chambord and crème de cassis? ›

Although Chamboard and Cassis are two different liqueurs, the two can be interchanged in most recipes. Créme de Cassis is made with black currants and is a bit sweeter and more syrupy than Chambord. Chambord is made with blackberries, raspberries, and black currants and is a bit more complex and refined.

When should you drink a Kir Royale? ›

Yes, the kir royale is an aperitif, which means that it is traditionally served and enjoyed before dinner. But this drink would also be lovely served for brunch or as a fun bubbly co*cktail to end the night.

What is a good substitute for cassis? ›

The 4 Best Substitutes for Creme de Cassis
  • Condiments. • 1 Black currant syrup.
  • Beer, Wine & Liquor. • 1 Kirsch. • 1 Raspberry liqueur.
  • Other. • Chambord.

Who drinks Kir Royale? ›

The French enjoy a Kir Royale as an elevated version of the café classic, Le Kir, that is made with dry white wine. It gives a sense of occasion.

What champagne drink is on Emily in Paris? ›

Anyone who's a fan of the popular Netflix show Emily in Paris knows why the Kir Royale is trending. The classic Champagne co*cktail pops up as a plot twist as Emily and co-workers sip them at a sunny lunch in Paris' Place de la Concorde.

What drink is mentioned in Emily in Paris? ›

Fast forward a few weeks later to the latest season of Netflix's Emily in Paris (don't pretend you don't watch it, too). In episode four, Emily Cooper “discovers” the classic French sparkling co*cktail, Kir Royale.

What wine is good for Kir? ›

Traditionally, the kir calls for Aligoté, a dry white Burgundy, but the choice of white wine is something of personal taste (dry wines are preferred, and Chablis is a great option).

Is Campari like Dubonnet? ›

The Dubonnet is a French drink by Pernod Ricard, made with a combination of fortified wine, herbs, and spices, with an alcohol content of 14.8 per cent. It is said to taste a little like a sweeter version of Campari.

What is the difference between Kir and Kir Royale? ›

Kir Royale, differs from Kir in that it is made using Champagne, rather than the Aligoté white wine. Hence it is more expensive to make and typically reserved for celebrations and special occasions.

Can you drink cassis straight? ›

Crème de cassis is often consumed as both a digestif or apéritif (an answer to everyone wondering can you drink crème de cassis straight – absolutely, it does very well served simply with ice!), or mixed with white wine or a classic Champagne cassis drink. However, co*cktails are where crème de cassis really shines.

Is grenadine the same as crème de cassis? ›

The macerated blackcurrants give it a darker, more layered berry flavor than grenadine, and if you want a stronger co*cktail crème de cassis is the way to go—it is 25% alcohol-by-volume (grenadine is just 3%, if at all). It's worth trying, if you have it or can find it.

Is creme de mûre the same as Chambord? ›

Is Crème de Mûre the same as Chambord? Crème de Mûre is a blackberry liqueur, not too dissimilar to Crème de Cassis. Chambord too, is a blackberry liqueur but it's also made using raspberries, black raspberries, cognac, vanilla and a selection of special secret herbs.

What does crème de cassis mean in English? ›

noun. crème de cas·​sis ˌkrem-də-kə-ˈsēs. : a liqueur made from black currants.

Why is it called a Kir Royale? ›

Every co*cktail has its origin story, but the Kir and its bubbly cousin Kir Royale (pronounced kur roy-AL), might be the most dramatic. According to legend, both co*cktails were named for Canon Felix Kir, a Catholic priest and hero of the French resistance during World War II.

What alcohol is in Kir Royale? ›

A Kir Royale is a swanky apertif made from Champagne and crème de cassis, a viscous black currant liqueur. (When the drink is made from still wine instead of Champagne, it's simply called a Kir.)

What is another name for crème de cassis co*cktail? ›

The Kir is a French co*cktail made with a measure of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) topped up with white wine.

Is there a difference between cassis and crème de cassis? ›

Bottles labeled Crème de Cassis de Dijon contain only blackcurrants grown in Dijon, while Cassis de Bourgogne uses currants grown in the greater Burgundy region. Legislation dictates that the liqueur must have a minimum alcoholic content of 15 percent ABV, and contain at least 400 grams of sugar per liter.

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