Kir Royale
by Sommer Collier — last updated on May 28, 2025 
How to Make a Kir Royale – You only need 2 ingredients to make a classic bubbly Kir Royale Cocktail… Sweet, tart blackcurrant liqueur and champagne. But you can elevate this fancy French drink recipe even more with garnishes like fresh fruit and herbs!
Why We Love This Kir Royale Cocktail Recipe
Ok, so you can tell just by looking at the first image here that you’re in for a fabulous drink recipe… If a champagne flute is involved, you know this cocktail is sure to impress!
But impressive doesn’t have to mean complicated. Case in point: This classic Kir Royale recipe is a French cocktail based on the original Kir cocktail, which is a traditional aperitif that combines just crème de cassis and white wine.
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
Our Kir Royale recipe includes crème de cassis and champagne for a more elevated drink that still requires only 2 ingredients.
This simple cocktail combines a splash of black currant liqueur with your favorite chilled bubbly. Then you can either serve it as-is or garnish it with fresh berries, mint sprigs, or even a lemon twist!
However you dress them up, these drinks are perfect for cheers-ing at fall and winter dinner parties, special occasions, and holiday brunches.
Ingredients You Need
Crème de Cassis – This liqueur is made with black currents. It has a dark, rustic, sweet flavor that nicely balances dry champagne.
Champagne – A quality dry champagne is perfect to enhance the sweetness of the black currants and other fruity elements.
Other Fruity Add-ins – Consider including a fresh element to make the Kir Royale flavors really sing! Here are a few ideas we love:
- Lemon twist
- Dried black currants
- Fresh raspberries
- Fresh blackberries
- Mint leaves
- Rosemary sprigs
How to Make a Kir Royale
Find the full Kir Royale recipe with ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
- Here we are making a bubbly Kir Royale with authentic champagne from France. But you can make this an old-school Kir drink by using a dry white wine, like Aligoté or Chardonnay, instead.
- You can substitute champagne with prosecco, cava, or other sparkling white wine.
- Make a more rustic, “unstuffy” Kir Normand drink with hard cider instead of champagne. You can do this with any flavor of cider from any number of fruits… Apple, pear, and berry ciders are all delicious with the crème de cassis.
- We love the tart flavor of black currants in crème de cassis. However, feel free to change things up and try this cocktail recipe with another fruit alcohol like Chambord (raspberry liqueur), pomegranate liqueur, or peach liqueur.
What to Serve with a Kir Royale
These bold, fruity cocktails are delicious for brunch… They’re along the same lines as a mimosa, but have more full-bodied flavor! Pair them with any of these fabulous weekend-worthy dishes:
- Eggs Benedict Casserole
- Deep Dish Vegetarian Quiche
- French Crepes
- Strata (Overnight Casserole)
- Cream Cheese Danishes
- Raspberry Sweet Buns
Kir Royale cocktails are also a terrific pre-dinner appertif or cocktail party drink. Serve them with snazzy appetizers like:
- Baked Camembert
- Sweet n’ Spicy Chicken Lollipop
- Clams Casino
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Pomegranate Cheese Ball
Frequently Asked Questions
This beloved French liqueur is made with blackcurrants, which are small, dark purplish-black dried grapes. They are too tart to make into a wine – but when crushed, soaked in alcohol, and combined with sugar, the currants turn into a perfectly sweet and stout liqueur with a 15% ABV.
The flavor of the black currant is definitely the star here! They make the Kir Royale drink both sweet and tangy, with a deep syrupy taste that’s similar to a red grape combined with a blackberry. The richness is balanced by the sharp, dry flavor of champagne, so each bubbly sip is just the right combination of crisp, fruity, rich, and sweet.
Looking for More Classic Cocktail Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
Kir Royale Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ ounce Crème de Cassis
- 4-5 ounces dry champagne chilled (or sparkling wine)
- Optional garnishes: lemon twist, black currents, raspberries, black berries, mint leaves
Instructions
- Set out as many champagne flutes as needed.
- To each champagne flute, add ½ ounce of crème de cassis.
- Then top each champagne flute off with 4-5 ounces of chilled dry champagne.
- Garnish and serve!
YUM! I had never heard of a Kir Royale but these looked so good I had to try it. Can confirm they’re delicious and refreshing!
I love a Kir Royale, it’s been my go-to for years. This recipe makes a great one!
I can’t wait to make this for thanksgiving this year! It looks go good!