Kir Royale

The Kir Royale is a sophisticated and easy-to-make cocktail. This classic French cocktail is made with just two ingredients: crème de cassis and Champagne. The result is a beautiful, bubbly drink that’s perfect for any special occasion.

The Kir Royale is actually a variation of the Kir, a popular French cocktail that’s made with white wine and crème de cassis. Legend has it that the Kir was invented by a French mayor named Felix Kir, who served it at official functions in the 1940s. The Kir became so popular that it was eventually adapted into the Kir Royale, which uses Champagne instead of white wine.

The Kir Royale is a perfect cocktail for any celebration, from weddings to New Year’s Eve parties. It’s easy to make and looks stunning in a Champagne flute. Plus, the combination of crème de cassis and Champagne creates a deliciously sweet and bubbly flavor that’s sure to impress your guests.

History

The Kir Royale is a French cocktail that is a variation of the Kir. The original Kir cocktail was created in the 19th century by a man named Félix Kir, who was a Catholic priest and the mayor of Dijon. The Kir cocktail consisted of white wine and crème de cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur. The more sophisticated Kir Royale followed shortly after, which replaced the white wine with champagne.

According to legend, during World War II, when the Nazis confiscated Burgundy’s iconic red wines, Canon Félix Kir defiantly devised his namesake cocktail. He combined the available dry white wine, Aligoté, with blackcurrant liqueur to create the Kir cocktail. This cocktail became so popular that it was eventually upgraded to include champagne rather than wine, which became known as the Kir Royale.

The Kir Royale cocktail was named after Canon Félix Kir, who was a hero of the French resistance during World War II. He was an outspoken critic of the Nazi occupation of France and used his position as mayor of Dijon to help the resistance movement. After the war, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Légion d’honneur for his bravery.

How to Make It

Variations

While the classic Kir Royale recipe calls for blackcurrant liqueur and Champagne, there are plenty of variations to try that can add a unique twist to this elegant cocktail. Here are some popular variations to consider:

Kir Impérial

This variation replaces the Champagne with Crémant, a sparkling wine from France, and uses raspberry liqueur instead of blackcurrant liqueur. The result is a slightly sweeter and fruitier version of the Kir Royale.

Kir Normand

This version uses apple cider instead of Champagne and Calvados, an apple brandy from Normandy, instead of blackcurrant liqueur. The Calvados adds a subtle apple flavor to the cocktail, making it perfect for fall gatherings.

Kir Aligoté

Aligoté is a white wine grape variety commonly grown in Burgundy, France. This variation uses Aligoté wine instead of Champagne and blackcurrant liqueur, resulting in a lighter and less bubbly version of the Kir Royale.

Kir Chablis

Chablis is a white wine made from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Chablis region of Burgundy, France. This variation uses Chablis wine instead of Champagne and blackcurrant liqueur, resulting in a drier and more acidic version of the Kir Royale.

Kir Breton

This variation uses Breton cider instead of Champagne and blackcurrant liqueur. Breton cider has a slightly tart and earthy flavor, which pairs well with the sweetness of the blackcurrant liqueur.