This simple Kir Royale is a delicious pairing of champagne and creme de cassis. It's the perfect drink for a celebratory toast or a cocktail party.
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right."
Mark Twain
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As this year quickly draws to a close, and we begin the lead up to the holiday season I thought I would share some delicious cocktails with you.
To kick things off, I wanted to start with a cocktail that features the one drink we all think of when it comes to celebrations - Champagne.
Champagne immediately comes to mind when you think of a party, but have you ever wondered why?
Champagne has a fun and interesting history. It first came to international attention in the 1700s when it was served during the coronation of French kings.
As the French were associated with luxury, power and class, Champagne quickly became associated with these things as well.
Through some very clever marketing, the early Champagne houses quickly caught on and spent considerable time and money marketing their product this way.
That initial, and ongoing, marketing by the world's famous Champagne producers, have brought us to today where champagne is synonymous with celebration.
After all, what would a wedding toast be without a glass of Champagne?
I've even worked it into a few desserts - like this Champagne Sorbet and these Champagne Poached Strawberries.
So, today's featured cocktail is the renowned Kir Royale!
The Kir Royale is traditionally served as an apéritif before a meal, making it the perfect drink to kick off a dinner party.
What is in a Kir Royale?
Making this champagne cocktail couldn't be easier, as it's a simple combination of Champagne (or Sparkling wine) and Creme de Cassis.
Creme de Cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur, which gives this cocktail a delicious berry taste.
How to Make a Kir Royale
Simply mix 4-5 oz of champagne with ½ oz of creme de cassis, and serve in a champagne flute.
Kir Royale Variations
Ready to mix things up a bit? Here are some of the most popular variations of the classic Kir Royale.
Kir Imperial - Use a raspberry liquor, such as Chambord, in place of the Creme de Cassis.
Cider Royale - Substitute a hard cider in place of the champagne, and add a dash of calvados.
Cardinal - Use a red wine in place of the traditional white champagne.
Tarantino - Substitute a light beer for the champagne.
Hibiscus Royale - Replace the creme de cassis with a mix of peach and raspberry liquer, and a bit of hibiscus flower.
Kir Bianco - Substitute sweet white vermouth in place of the champagne.
Pink Russian - This variation uses milk instead of champagne. And I honestly have no idea why you would do that.
Still thirsty?
If you love this cocktail, be sure to check out all my drink recipes here. Or start with these reader-favorite cocktails:
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ oz Creme de Cassis
- 4 oz Champagne or Sparkling wine
- 2 raspberries, optional
Instructions
- Place the Creme de Cassis in the bottom of a Champagne flute. You can also add a few raspberries, if desired.
- Top with Champagne or Sparkling wine.
- Serve immediately.
Amanda says
I have fantastic memories of Kir Royale. On my first ever (and so far, only) trip to Paris I rented an apartment with my daughter where we were joined by a good friend of mine who had been living in Poland and whom I hadn't seen for a few years. On the day we arrived my daughter was having a teenaged snit over something so Bernadette and I took ourselves off to the corner bar where we sat knocking back Kir Royales until we got hungry enough to go looking for food. What a perfect way to 1. introduce ourselves to Paris and 2. avoid teen melodramas!
delicieux says
How wonderful to drink Kir Royale in Paris!!! I dream of going there one day. Hopefully soon!
Nic@diningwithastud says
Just in time for Melbourne Cup 🙂 Looove champers. I never use to like it but its def my drink of choice these days
delicieux says
It's funny, I never used to like Champagne either. I'm so glad that changed though 😀
Martyna@WholesomeCook says
Snap! Looks like we both like a good glass of bubbly! Though I had mine this morning already. :-)I've heard that popping a raspberry macaron into a champagne glass is divine too!
delicieux says
I will have to try the raspberry macaron tip! Sounds delicious! Thanks Martyna 😀
Anna@ The Littlest Anchovy says
Ooh how lovely! Gotta love some bubbles :)My favourite celebratory drink is a peach bellini, with fresh peach puree!
delicieux says
Mmmm peach bellini's are great too. You've reminded me I haven't had one in a long time! 😀
jen @ giftboxology says
thank you so much Jennifer! very much looking forward to going to the Show next weekend!
Melanie says
Nothing says "Celebration" more than a glass of Champagne!
delicieux says
I agree Melanie 😀
kankana says
For me any celebration that can include drinks .. i will call for some red wine. Don't ask me why .. i just love it. Or may be some gorgeous color cocktail with vodka 🙂
delicieux says
I enjoy red wine too, but for some reason I always am drawn to Champagne 😀
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
This is my favorite drink! I always order one when we go out to a nice dinner.
thelittleloaf says
I love champagne cocktails, although recently have acquired more of a taste for the lighter bubbles of prosecco. It's hard to beat a kir royale though - I wonder if it would be easy to make your own creme de cassis? Great post, and looking forward to reading the rest of your cocktail recipes!
Julia @ Mélanger says
Champagne is definitely my favourite celebratory drink. If the occasion is special enough (wedding, anniversary milestone, birthday milestone, etc.), I typically drag out a bottle of Perrier-Jouët. That's my favourite Champagne. Only for special occasions though - couldn't afford it more frequently! 🙂
delicieux says
Champagne is my favourite too, and Perrier-Jouët is lovely, but as you say it's really a special occasion champagne 😀