Kir Royale
Build ∙ 2 min ∙ 11.9% ABV ∙
The Kir Royale is a French aperitif built from crème de cassis topped with dry sparkling wine, served in a flute. Blackcurrant sweetness threads through a crisp, dry sparkling backbone, finishing with a fine effervescent lift that stays light rather than syrupy.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour Crème de Cassis 15 ml into the glass and top with Dry sparkling wine
- Garnish with a seasonal berry (blackcurrants)
Tips
- Pre-chill the flute before building — a cold glass keeps the sparkling wine's bubbles from dying on contact.
- Measure the cassis carefully — a heavy pour turns the drink cloying and hides the sparkling wine's dryness.
- Pour the sparkling wine slowly down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation and avoid overflow.
History
The Kir Royale is the champagne-topped version of the Kir, a Burgundian aperitif of crème de cassis and dry white wine that takes its name from Félix Kir, a Catholic priest, decorated French Resistance figure, and mayor of Dijon from 1945 until 1968. Kir served the blackcurrant-and-Aligoté mixture to visiting dignitaries during his tenure and is widely credited with popularizing it as the city's signature drink, though a similar mix known as blanc-cassis had circulated in Burgundy since the mid-19th century, after crème de cassis production expanded there.
The Kir Royale itself has no single documented inventor: it emerged as bartenders and drinkers swapped in champagne for the still white wine, turning the everyday Kir into a more festive, expensive version suited to celebrations. Sources are unable to pin down exactly when or by whom this substitution was first made, and some accounts note that a claim linking chef Auguste Escoffier to the drink cannot be reconciled with his 1935 death, well before Kir's own rise to fame in the postwar years.
FAQ
What is in a Kir Royale?
Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) topped with dry sparkling wine, built directly in a flute and garnished with a seasonal berry. It is a light, low-proof aperitif at around 11.9% ABV, and this build comes in at roughly 129 calories per serving.
Why is it called Kir Royale?
It is named after Félix Kir, a French mayor and priest whose name is attached to the still-wine version of this drink; "Royale" marks the version made with sparkling wine instead of still white wine, a fancier, more festive twist on the original.
What is the difference between Kir and Kir Royale?
A Kir is crème de cassis topped with still white wine, while a Kir Royale replaces the still wine with dry sparkling wine for a fizzier, more festive drink. Both share the same blackcurrant liqueur base; only the wine changes.
Is Chambord in a Kir Royale?
No, a Kir Royale is made with crème de cassis, not Chambord. Crème de cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur, while Chambord is a raspberry-and-blackberry liqueur; the two are sometimes confused but are not interchangeable in this recipe as we make it.
Is Kir Royale a classy drink?
It has a reputation as an elegant, upscale aperitif, largely thanks to its French origins, its flute presentation, and its simple two-ingredient build. Its polished image comes from tradition and presentation rather than cost or complexity.
