Preview: Kirs

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

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Commonly served in France, these Kir apéritifs date back to the middle of the 19th century.

  • Total Time: 2 mins
  • Active Time: 2 mins

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Step 1: How to Make Kir Royale

How to Make Kir Royale

A Kir Royale is simple to make. Just mix about 1 part crème de cassis and 5 parts champagne or sparkling wine into a glass flute.

A strip of lemon zest is optional, but it does add a nice subtle twist.

  • 1 part Crème de Cassis (or any other blackcurrant flavored concentrate)
  • 5 parts champagne (or sparkling wine)
  • lemon zest (optional)

Step 2: How to Make Kir

How to Make Kir

To make Kir, it is basically the same thing as a Kir Royale; however, it is made with dry white wine instead of champagne.

In a wine glass, pour about a teaspoon of crème de cassis, and then add your favorite dry white wine.

  • Crème de Cassis (or any other blackcurrant flavored concentrate)
  • dry white wine

Step 3: How to Make Kir Cardinale

How to Make Kir Cardinale

Kir Cardinale, also known as Kir Communard, is crème de cassis served with a light-weight red wine. Simply mix about a teaspoon of crème de cassis with your favorite, light-weight red wine.

  • Crème de Cassis (or any other blackcurrant flavored concentrate)
  • red wine

Step 4: How to Make Pernod

How to Make Pernod

Another common apéritif in France is Pernod, which has a beautiful anise or licorice flavor.

To prepare this drink, simply add an ounce of Pernod to a glass. Adding water and ice is optional, so add as much as desired.

  • 1 oz Pernod
  • water (optional and to taste)
  • ice (optional and to taste)

Notes

When serving Kir Royale, make sure to use champagne glasses. These glasses are designed to expose the least surface area so the bubbles are contained within the glass and last longer.

Kir Cardinale is named for the red of a cardinal's or bishop's coat.

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Guillaume I

Great drinks!

I always have a bottle of cassis and pernod in my liquer cabinet. This is the first time that I hear about the kir cardinale. Will definitely give it a try soon. Thanks.

K H

Drink recipes

I'm glad to see traditional drink recipes on Rouxbe. Thanks!

Chris O

A favourite tipple here!

I live in SW France so the 'recipe' for Kir is engraved on my forehead. :)

Purists might like to know that a traditional Kir should be made with white burgundy, specifically Bourgogne Aligoté. My favourite is a Kir Royal (also good made with raspberry liqueur) and that's what will be served to my guests on Saturday.

PS This is my first post (having lurked for a couple of weeks) and I would just like to compliment you on, and thank you for, a superb site that has already given me loads of tips.

Romeo G

perfect kirs

do we have any recipe for italian punch??

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Perfect Kirs

Currently we do not have any recipes for Italian punch, you may want to do a google search for this. Cheers!

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