French Food Friday...Kir Royale Cocktail

My favourite champagne cocktail..... Kir Royale not only is it deliciously sophisticated, it is also simple to prepare. Cassis is the main flavour in these classic French cocktail recipes.

The drink known as Kir is produced when white wine and crème de cassis – a luscious French fruit liqueur made from blackcurrant berries. Create a Kir Royal, or Royale, by substituting Champagne for white wine creates. Both cocktails have a pleasant level of sweetness and a lovely hue.

History of Kir Cocktail Recipe
This concoction of white wine and cassis was known as blanc-cassis before Dijon mayor Felix Kir (1876-1968) gave his name to the well-liked drink. Kir was a fan of blanc-cassis and not afraid to show it. He often appeared in public holding his favourite French cocktail.

As Dijon is in the Burgundy region of France, and Burgundy produces both the white wine and the cassis that must be used to make the drink authentic, Kir’s habit could be seen as patriotic. His association thus established, Kir legally allowed French producers to use his name to promote their product.

Ingredients:
3.5 oz. Champagne
1/2 oz. crème de cassis
Twist of lemon (optional)

Add crème de cassis to Champagne flute. Top with well-chilled Champagne.

Garnish with a lemon twist if you want to.



Makes one Kir Royale.

Sante a tous et a demain mes amies, Leeann x