Kir Royale recipe
Champagne meets blackcurrant — French elegance in every bubble.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Champagne flute ·
Time: 1 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 5 oz Champagne (chilled)
- 0.5 oz Crème de Cassis
How to make a Kir Royale
- Pour crème de cassis into a champagne flute.
- Top slowly with chilled champagne.
- The cassis will naturally create a gradient effect.
- Garnish with fresh blackberries or a lemon twist.
Garnish
Fresh blackberries or a lemon twist.
Pro tip
Quality crème de cassis makes all the difference — cheap versions are cloyingly sweet. Look for one from Burgundy (Lejay or Védrenne). The cassis should complement the champagne, not overpower it.
History of the Kir Royale
The Kir Royale is the champagne version of the Kir, which was named after Félix Kir, the mayor of Dijon, who popularized the combination of white wine and cassis in the 1940s. The 'Royale' upgrade to champagne came later.
Flavour profile
Fruity, Bubbly, Elegant, Sweet
Variations
- Kir — Use white wine instead of champagne
- Kir Impérial — Use raspberry liqueur instead of cassis
- Kir Breton — Use cider instead of wine
Practise making the Kir Royale in the free Virtual Bar game.