Kir Royal

Kir royal cocktails (sometimes written in English as “Kir royale”) are bubbly, fruity and an absolute breeze to make. Creme de cassis and bubbly champagne are measured right into a champagne flute and garnished with a fresh raspberry. That’s it! No stirring, shaking, muddling or straining needed. It’s the perfect cocktail to make for guests when you want to whip up a cocktail that’s quick yet impressive.

What is a Kir royal?

A Kir royal (pronounced KEER roy-AL) is a cocktail that’s made with two ingredients: sparkling wine and a black currant liqueur called creme de cassis. It’s typically garnished with fresh raspberries or a lemon peel.

Kir Royal Ingredients

• Creme de cassis: There are many brands of creme de cassis on the market, but the real stuff always comes from Dijon, the capital of the historic French region of Burgundy. Look for brands such as L’Heritier-Guyot or Domaine Lucien Jacob. They are available in the United States and usually sell for under $30.
• Champagne: With so few ingredients, the secret to a great Kir royal recipe is using quality sparkling wine and spirits. Using champagne is the most luxurious way to make a Kir royal, but you can use any sparkling wine that fits your budget.
• Raspberries: Fresh raspberries make the perfect easy garnish. Try frozen raspberries to chill down the drink a bit—a must during the summer months.

Directions

Step 1: Start with creme de cassis

TMB Studio

Pour the creme de cassis into a champagne flute (or a small wine glass).

Step 2: Add the sparkling wine

TMB Studio

Top the glass off with the sparkling wine of your choice.

Step 3: Garnish with raspberries

TMB Studio

Garnish your cocktail with a fresh raspberry or two, then enjoy it.

TMB Studio

Recipe Variations

• Try another sparkling wine: Real French champagne can be expensive, but there are plenty of cheap champagne-like options that you can try in a Kir royal recipe. French crémant is actually the traditional wine for a Kir royal (specifically crémant de Bourgogne), and Spanish cava works very well too.
• Use a different garnish: Lemon peels are common garnishes for Kir royal. Orange peels or blackberries are also acceptable.
• Use Chambord: While the cocktail won’t turn out as pink as with creme de cassis, Chambord is a similarly colored French liqueur that’s made from raspberries and blackberries. It’s sweet with an intense berry flavor, making it the perfect swap for creme de cassis. Chambord can be used in many other cocktails, and even works in desserts like Chambord cream, which is perfect on top of chocolate cake or fresh fruit.

How to Store Kir Royal

Kir royal should be consumed immediately, since the fizziness from the sparkling wine will start to flatten once it has been poured. If you have leftovers you absolutely must save, cover your Kir royal glass with storage wrap and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Add a bit of fresh sparkling wine to perk it up.

Can I make a Kir royal ahead of time?

We do not recommend making a Kir royal cocktail ahead of time. The sparkling wine will flatten a few hours after opening, so there won’t be any fizz in the drink once you go to sip it again.

Kir Royal Tips

TMB Studio

When do I serve Kir royal?

A Kir royal is usually consumed as an aperitif, meaning it’s a drink that should be served before dinner to stimulate the appetite.

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

A Kir cocktail uses creme de cassis and dry white Burgundian wine, while a Kir royal cocktail uses creme de cassis and sparkling wine. The Kir royal evolved from the Kir cocktail, which was named in the 1950s for Canon Félix Kir, a French priest who later became the mayor of Dijon.