Classic Kir Royale with Cassis
A Classic Kir Royale with Cassis is an elegant champagne cocktail with a nice splash of black currant liqueur. The vibrant color and berry garnish make it festive enough for any celebration!
Whether for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or a romantic night at home, this simple cocktail will become a favorite!
Why You Must Make
- I’ve always been drawn to simple cocktails, and this classic champagne cocktail fits the bill.
- With just Crème de Cassis, a sweet red French liqueur made of black currants, and champagne, you can be ready at the wait to make this cocktail when the mood strikes.
- Since I rarely see fresh currants in our local markets, I took the liberty of garnishing this cocktail with raspberries. They’re a pretty good snack after you down your drink! The color from the cassis and the berries make for a beautiful, festive champagne cocktail.
Ingredient Notes
- Crème de Cassis – Black Currant Liqueur. If you cannot find a black currant liqueur, you may substitute Chambord, a black raspberry liqueur.
- Champagne – There’s no need to buy a top of the line champagne. Even Cava or Prosecco can be used.
- Simple Syrup – Optional to sweeten the cocktail if desired.
- Fresh Raspberries or Fresh Currants – To garnish, optional.
How to Make
- Add cassis to champagne or cocktail glasses
- Top off the glass with champagne.
- Taste and add simple syrup for a sweeter cocktail. Garnish if desired.
Recipe Tips
- PRO-Tip: My first and biggest tip is to hunt down some quality Crème de Cassis. I had a popular inexpensive version in my liquor cabinet, but with only two ingredients, the results were less than impressive. Still very drinkable, but not memorable. It has now been replaced.
- PRO-Tip: Chill your glasses in the freezer before using them to keep the cocktail well chilled as you drink it.
- When adding the champagne, tip the glass slightly and slowly pour down the angled side. This will help minimize the champagne fizzing up.
- PRO-Tip: Taste and decide if some simple syrup is in order. If you’d like a sweeter cocktail, a splash of an easy-to-make sugar and water syrup is an easy fix.
- To make a simple syrup, just simmer equal parts water and sugar until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Chill and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks (as long as you don’t add any flavorings).
- Garnish with beautiful fresh currants if you can find them or fresh raspberries. A garnish always takes a cocktail to the next level! Toast your guests and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Both Kir and Kir Royale were named after the French priest, Canon Félix Kir, who was a hero during WWII, then became the mayor of Dijon, France. He liked using local products and created this cocktail. Using champagne instead of wine makes the kir royale more elegant or “royal.”
Kir is a cocktail made with white wine and cassis. A Kir Royale is made with champagne instead of white wine and cassis.
Simple Syrup is used to sweeten cocktails and beverages. By heating water and sugar, the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes syrupy. It incorporates well when mixed with liquids whereas sugar would remain granular.
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- Peach Bellini Cocktail
- French 75 Champagne Cocktail
- Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
- More Classic Cocktail Recipes
Classic Kir Royale Recipe with Cassis
A simple, elegant cocktail made of champagne and Crème de Cassis.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons black currant liqueur (Crème de Cassis)
- 6 tablespoons Champagne or enough to fill the glass
- Simple syrup to taste, optional
- Fresh raspberries or fresh currants to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add cassis to champagne or cocktail glasses
- Top off the glass with champagne.
- Taste and add simple syrup for a sweeter cocktail. Garnish if desired.
Notes
*To make simple syrup, heat equal amounts of sugar and syrup in a saucepan, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Chill and store in your refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1 glassAmount Per Serving: Calories: 338Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: .9mgCarbohydrates: 16.7gFiber: 10gSugar: 82gProtein: .3g
17 Comments on “Classic Kir Royale with Cassis”
Such an elegant cocktail for Valentine’s Day!
I know what this is but I clicked on the link anyway. Such a perfect cocktail. I served them before dinner once when I had a fancy dinner party. They were a huge hit. I’ve tried making them with prosecco, and of course it just doesn’t work. You really need the champagne! Pretty photos.
Kir is one of my favorite summer drinks! And now I have another way to celebrate with it. Thanks Liz!
Beautiful cocktail…so luxurious, and perfect for the Valentine’s Day…thank you so sharing the recipe Liz. I hope you are having a fabulous week!
Such a great drink, and perfect for Valentine’s Day! You’re right that a decent Crème de Cassis makes a huge difference in this drink — plus it’s fun to drink all by itself! Good post — thanks.
Very pretty Liz and definitely festive! Thanks for the tips. I’ve never been much of a drinker so any tips are welcome.
Reminds me of the era back in the late 1980’s and 1990’s when I used to grow Raspberries in the backyard in Brooklyn. 🙂
Liz, I have never had this before, but I have recently begun to enjoy ‘sipping’ a liquor after dinner with a nibble of chocolate. I’ll have to try this and add it to my new routine!
xoxo!
Oooooh How deliciously pretty an perfect timing for Valentine’s day.
How have I never had a kir royale? That needs to change!! What a perfect Valentine’s Day libation, Liz!
This is not only beautiful, it sounds so… good!
Lizzy ! really looks delicious !!
Liz this is a wonderful classic and I love raspberry!
This looks simply divine! I am trying it this weekend.
A nice treat indeed! Had to laugh, the ad running right below your cocktail read “how to solve joint pain”… Some would agree:@)
It certainly would dull the pain, LOL. Thanks, Lynn!
I read your article and it is interesting. It looks very yummy. I hope I will make them like you.