Sip with sophistication AND fun when you make a Kir Royale! This classic bubbly cocktail consists of just two simple ingredients – crème de cassis and champagne. It’s fruity, bubbly, delightfully simple and always gets the party started in the best way.

Berries garnish a glass of kir royale.


Kir Royale

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I really love a good Kir Royale. The best part? I don’t need to be an expert mixologist to make this signature bar staple! With just two ingredients and the easiest step-by-step instructions, this drink is a real cinch to make. After you concoct your own, you’ll be wondering why you ever bothered overpaying at a bar or restaurant for this quick and easy cocktail.

So, what does a Kir Royale taste like? If you like fruity wine, you’ll love this cocktail. It’s made with crème de cassis, which is a thick, dark red colored liqueur made from black currants. When that berry flavor combines with bubbly dry champagne… magic happens. Well, at least to my taste buds it’s pretty magical! Also, be sure to use a dry champagne rather than a sweet one or your drink may be way too sugary.

Serve up a round of Kir Royales when you feel like showing off. This is one of those recipes I like to call “deceptively impressive.” It has a pretty French name, it’s served in a nice glass and if you garnish it just right, people will really be excited. It can just be our little secret that this cocktail is really just made with TWO ingredients and in no time at all! Cheers, friends!

The ingredients for Kir Royale are placed on a white surface.

What is a Kir Royale?

A Kir Royale is a french cocktail that’s a twist on the traditional Kir. This version is made with creme de casis or Chambord with champagne instead of white wine like the original Kir is mixed with.

Recently made popular again on a recent episode of ‘Emily in Paris’, this is a refreshing and light cocktail that’s fit for a queen!

How to Make a Kir Royale

This recipe really couldn’t be any easier to make. It’s great for when you’re hosting a party and making drinks, but don’t want to stop and slow down to measure a ton of ingredients. With a Kir Royale, you can simply pour, garnish, serve, and keep having fun without ever slowing down!

  1. Pour. First, pour the crème de cassis into a glass.
  2. Make it bubbly. Top off the liqueur with a splash of bubbly dry champagne.
  3. Garnish. Aim to impress your guests when you garnish your glass with a lemon or orange twist or some fresh berries.

That’s all there is to making this seemingly sophisticated cocktail! Serve it at your next dinner party, holiday get together, or any other occasion that would be made better with a fruity, bubbly cocktail.

A Kir Royale is traditionally served in a champagne flute but I love using a Champagne Coupe because they’re practical for other drinks like martinis and daiquiris, as well as, desserts!

Champagne is being poured into a glass.

What is the difference between a Kir and a Kir Royale?

The only difference between these two beverages is the champagne. In a traditional Kir, white wine is served with the liqueur. A Kir Royale uses champagne instead of white wine. That’s what earned it the “royale” title! Now you can feel even fancier when sipping on this drink like the royal you are.

What does crème de cassis taste like?

Since this French liqueur is made with black currants, it has a prominent berry flavor to it. It’s pretty sweet, which is why we use dry champagne in this cocktail recipe to help balance it out. A sweet champagne would just make this drink a bit too sweet, at least for my preferences. With that being said, most good quality bottles of crème de cassis aren’t overly sweet and actually have a delightful tartness to them as well.

Can I make a Kir Royale ahead of time?

I don’t recommend making anything with champagne too far ahead of time. You want the drink to be chilled and bubbly, and those bubbles will dissipate if left sitting for too long. This drink is easy and quick to make, so it’s best to make it and enjoy it right away.

Berries and an orange peel garnish a glass of Kir Royale.

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Berries garnish a glass of kir royale.

Get the Recipe: Kir Royale Recipe

A classic French cocktail, the Kir Royale is made with just two ingredients; Chambord and Champagne. Fresh, light and easy.
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 ounce crème de cassis
  • 1 cup Dry Champagne, or other sparkling wine, to top
  • Garnish: lemon twist

Equipment

  • 2 champagne flutes

Instructions 

  • Pour the creme de cassis into a Champagne flute.
  • Top with the Champagne.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist.

Video

YouTube video
Calories: 74kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 0.1g, Sodium: 8mg, Potassium: 104mg, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 0.5mg