What is Creme de Cassis?

The creme de cassis is a French liqueur made from blackcurrants. It is the main alcohol used in Kir and Kir Royale and a few other popular French cocktails.

What is a substitute for cassis liqueur?

The traditional liqueur for Kir Royale uses the creme de cassis, but the following substitutes will work. Chambord or Crème de mure and Crème de framboise, these are blackberry liqueur.

What does Kir Royale taste like?

Kir Royal tastes like a fruity wine cooler with a rich berry flavor from the thick currant berry liqueur. Kir Royale is typically mixed with chilled champagne, making it a fun, bubbly drink that is festive and fun to sip on.

Why is it called a Kir Royale?

This classic French cocktail is named after a World War II french catholic priest, Félix Kir , a war resistance hero who became a Mayor of the Burgundian town Dijon in France. He made two drinks, one using blanc cassis liqueur with white burgundy wine, while the other used champagne. Thus the Kir (with wine) and Kir Royale (with champagne).

The classic Kir is a simple yet elegant French cocktail with creme de cassis mixed with white wine.

Can you drink cassis on its own?

Yes. Though traditionally, the creme de cassis is mixed with champagne or white wine, you certainly can drink it on its own, much like the Italian Aperol spritz. Drink it as an aperitif, pre-dinner to stimulate an appetite, or as a digestif after-dinner drink. The liqueur is a fruity and sweet liqueur that goes down smooth with a rich aftertaste of the currant berry flavor.

Is Crème de Cassis the same as Chambord?

No. Creme de cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur, while Chambord, a French liqueur, is made with black raspberries. Both have a rich sweet flavor. But currants have slightly more tartness than raspberries, making creme de cassis a stronger taste.

Kir Royale French Champagne Cocktail

Description

Kir Royale French champagne cocktail is a classy drink made with creme de cassis, a black currant liqueur. This classic French cocktail is a perfect drink to serve on special occasions like Valentine's day, Mother's day, a baby shower, New Year's eve, or Easter!

Ingredients

Scale

1 - 1.5 oz Creme de Cassis. Add more or less as preferred.
3-4 oz Champagne or sparkling wine.
Garnish with fresh berries, orange, or lemon twist.

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Instructions

Pour creme de cassis over champagne glasses. This recipe uses 1/2 oz creme de cassis and 3-4 oz of champagne. Use more for a stronger flavor!
Add champagne to the glass, garnish with your favorite fresh berries and serve. That's it! So easy, right?

Notes

Creme de cassis is a thick syrupy liqueur with a sweet, currant flavor. Use a drier champagne or sparkling wine to offset the sweetness.
For making sweeter drinks, add more cassis liqueur. Less liqueur and more champagne mean a softer red color cocktail.
Use bubbly water as a substitute if you don't like champagne.

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Prep Time: 5
Category: Drinks
Method: Cocktails
Cuisine: International

Keywords: kir royale, kir royal cocktail, kir royale recipe, creme de cassis, kir royale champagne cocktail, blackcurrant liqueur