Blackberry Kir Royale

In Drinking French, David Lebowitz calls the Kir cocktail a gateway drink for many aperitif enthusiasts. "The clever combination of brisk white wine and black currant liqueur is named after Félix Kir, who was the mayor of Dijon, the capital of Burgundy," he writes. Kir was a champion of créme de cassis, the success of which Lebowitz credits with revitalizing the economy of the region following World War II.

While Aligoté (a dry, acidic white wine from Burgundy) is traditional in a Kir cocktail, this riff from Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, calls for dry Champagne; Lebowitz also suggests using a crémant de Bourgogne, to keep the Kir Royale drink true to its roots.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Kir cocktail the same as a Kir Royale?

A Kir becomes a Kir Royale when Champagne is used in place of white wine. Think of the Kir Royale drink as giving this classic cocktail the VIP treatment.

What is blackberry brandy?

Blackberry brandy is a sweet wine-based spirit with a dark red (or even purple) color. Blackberry brandy has a pronounced berry flavor,

Best Champagne for cocktails

According to Food & Wine contributor Brian Freedman, the advantage of Négociant Manipulant (NM) and Coopérative Manipulant (CM) houses is that they can produce a potentially great deal of Champagne in a consistent style, since they’re theoretically able to blend across a wide range of terroirs and micro-climates. Here's how to decipher wine labels with these designations, plus 10 options to help you find your next favorite dry Champagne.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

The Blackberry Kir Royale is one of those drinks that I love to prepare before a party, particularly because of how easy it is to assemble right as guests arrive. Giving everyone the option to add as much (or little) sparkling wine as they like is always a nice touch, and I recommend giving this cocktail a try with non-alcoholic sparkling wine for a daytime soirée. Plus, who doesn't love another opportunity to break out the Champagne flutes? — Oset Babur-Winter