A Toast to the Kir Cocktail

Kir cocktail is a simple drink made from crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and white wine. This popular aperitif cocktail originated in Burgundy, France and is known for its many variations, the most well known being the Kir Royale cocktail, which replaces white wine with Champagne. The most popular measurements tend to be one fifth crème de cassis and four fifths white wine, preferably cold Burgundian white wine, usually a crisp aligoté, or an unoaky Chablis.

The Kir cocktail was named after a priest called Felix Kir, who was also the Mayor of a town in Burgundy called Dijon from 1945 to 1968. The story goes that he created the drink to help promote two local products, firstly the local white wine made from the Aligoté grape and the local liqueur crème de cassis, which is a sweet dark red liqueur made from blackcurrants.One other story goes that Kir was keen to push the drink, particularly during a year in which the ordinary white wine of the region was inferior and the crème de cassis helped to disguise the fact. Whatever the reason, the combination became a big success all over Burgundy, then across France and eventually the Kir cocktail was toasted in bars and restaurants across the world.

The Kir cocktail is famous for its many variations. When ordering a Kir in France waiters will often ask whether you want  it with crème de cassis (blackcurrant), de mûre (blackberry) or de pêche (peach). Several regional variations of the drink also exist, such as, in the Normandy region of France you will be served a Kir Normand,which is made with Normandy cider instead of wine. In the French Burgundy region the locals will often use red wine instead of white wine, and this drink is referred to as a Kir Bourgogne. Other variations of the drink, include Kir Pétillant, which uses sparking wine instead of wine and the Kir Breton, made with Breton cider instead of wine.

Below we take a look at how to make the most popular variation of the Kir cocktail,  the Kir Royale cocktail.

Cocktail Ingredients

80 ml Champagne, 20 ml Crème de Cassis

How to make a Kir Royale cocktail

Add the crème de cassis to the bottom of a chilled Champagne flute, then top up with Champagne, using a bar spoon to float the champagne on top. Stir gently to combine.