Classic Kir Royale and Variations

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Kir Royale combines Champagne and a black currant liqueur to make a delectable cocktail. If you’re feeling adventurous, we have some cool variations to try as well.

Two champagne flutes filled with bubbling pale pink champagne sitting on a wood table.

What Is A Kir Royale?

This is one of the best drinks ever. Partly because I like saying its name: Kir Royale. You say the “Royale” part in a French way. You know, the way you say “Royale with Cheese.” 

But seriously, it’s a classic French cocktail that is simple to make and usually served in a flute glass

It also tastes sooo good. It’s Champagne with crème de cassis. Crème de cassis is a liqueur made from black currants that is sweet and red. You could also substitute Chambord, which is made from black raspberries. 

So pretty, that drink. All blushing and sparkling.

It’s super easy to make too. You pour half an ounce (that’s 1 tablespoon) of the crème de cassis into a Champagne flute. Then top with your Champagne (A dry one is a must. See our guide to sparkling wine choices for cocktails here.) Then drink!

Kir Royale Variations

  • If you use a sparkling wine other than Champagne, such as prosecco, it’s called a Kir Pétillant.
  • If you use still white wine instead of sparkling, the drink is called, simply, a Kir.
  • If you use Chambord, a French black raspberry liqueur, then it’s called a Kir Impérial or French Kir Royale or ChambordKir Royale.
  • Some people use a non-alcoholic black currant syrup instead of the creme de cassis. I don’t recommend it. At all. Especially if your syrup of choice is Ribena.
  • A Cider Royale uses hard apple cider instead of wine. A splash of calvados (apple brandy) is also usually in there.
  • Oddly, it’s a Tarantino if you make it with a light beer (lager) instead of wine. Or you can call it a Kir-Beer. (Two Tarantino references in one blog post? How does that happen???)
  • Oh, and a Pink Russian uses milk instead of wine. Geez.

I think I’m going to stick with the Royale!

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Kir Royale Champagne Cocktail

  • Author: Christine Pittman
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 min
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: French

DESCRIPTION

Kir Royale combines Champagne and a black currant liqueur to make a delectable cocktail. If you’re feeling adventurous, we have some cool variations to try as well.


Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp. creme de cassis or Chambord
  • 5 oz. cold Brut Champagne

Instructions

  1. Pour creme de cassis into a Champagne flute. Top slowly with Champagne (best to pour down the side of the glass for less intense foam).

This post originally appeared in December 2015 and was revised and republished in November 2022.

Classic Kir Royale and Variations

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About Christine

Christine is the founder of TheCookful and also of her blog COOKtheSTORY. Her passion is explaining the WHY behind cooking – Why should you cook things a certain way; Will they turn out if you do it differently; What are the pros and cons of the method? Learn more about Christine, her cookbooks, and her podcast.

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