Valentine's Day Kir Royale

Say what you will about Valentine’s Day being a ‘Hallmark Holiday’ but I welcome any day set aside to show appreciation for those we love most. The Kir Royale, is a classic for good reason. It’s simple and just about perfect. Splurge on a decent bottle of champagne here. With so few elements, you can really appreciate the quality of each ingredient.

Ingredients

Yields 2 cocktails

2-4 TB Creme de Cassis or Chambord Liqueur

6 fresh raspberries

Champagne or Dry Sparkling Wine

Method

Fill each flute with with 1-2 TB Liqueur, depending on how sweet you like it. Add 3 raspberries to each glass and top off with Champagne. Serve immediately.

*Creme de Cassis- Is a dark, thick, syrupy liqueur made from blackcurrants. It will make your Kir Royale more intensely pink and sweet (think a Cosmopolitan). Photo above shows Creme de Cassis.

*Chambord Liqueur- A liqueur made from raspberries, blackberries, and blackcurrants. Made in the Chambord region of the Loire Valley in France. It will tint your drink a slightly peachy-pink color (think rose champagne). It is the more expensive choice but is worth it, in my opinion as it better elevates the flavor of the champagne. Even the smallest bottle of Chambord will make many, many Kir Royales.