Royal

The Royal is a lesser-known champagne cocktail made with dry champagne and a splash of both orange curaçao and white wine. It takes inspiration from both the Kir cocktail and a Kir Royale cocktail (also spelled Kir Royal).

A classic Kir cocktail features crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) topped with white wine, while a Kir Royale is made with champagne and crème de cassis. The Royal can be seen as a fusion of both, yet it takes its own path by incorporating sweet citrus notes from orange curaçao instead of blackcurrant liqueur.

It’s then unexpectedly garnished with a pineapple wedge, and the addition of a berry as a second garnish could be seen as a nod to the blackberry liqueur in a Kir Royale, albeit with a strawberry. To distance itself even further, instead of using a traditional champagne flute, the Royal is served in a highball glass with ice cubes.

Crisp and lively, the Royal cocktail showcases dry, crisp Brut champagne with flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus. The orange curaçao introduces a sweetness that complements the champagne, while the white wine enhances the apple notes.

Unfortunately, little is known or documented about the Royal cocktail.

Sources indicate that the Kir dates back to the 1940s, though the idea of combining white wine with crème de cassis dates back to at least 1904. On the other hand, the Kir Royal(e) dates back to the 1940s or 50s. The Royal is likely to be a much more recent creation.

• Perfectly chilled
  The Royal cocktail is best enjoyed crisp and perfectly chilled. Champagne should be served chilled, ideally between 8°C and 10°C (46°F–50°F).
• Pre-chill your glassware
  To ensure your drink stays perfectly chilled from the first sip to the last, pre-chill your glassware. Simply place your glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes before serving.
• Just a splash to start
  When adding the orange curaçao, which is sweet, begin with just a bar spoon (5–10 ml). If you like your drink sweeter, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in. So, start small and adjust to taste.

The following drinks aren’t variations of a Royal, but rather the Royal is a variation of them.

• Kir
  This beloved classic mixes crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) with white wine. And it’s perfect. Discover the recipe for a classic Kir cocktail.
• Kir Royal(e)
  The Kir Royal(e) is a popular French aperitif that dates back to the 1940s or 1950. It mixes champagne and crème de cassis. See the recipe for a Kir Royal.
• Kir Pêche
  Follow the recipe for a Kir (above) but swap crème de cassis with peach liqueur. This variation can be made with white wine or champagne.

• We recommend serving a Royal cocktail in a highball glass with ice cubes. A highball glass is particularly sturdy and is perfect if you’re perching a pineapple wedge on the glass rim. However, being that the Royal cocktail is a champagne cocktail, we recommend serve this cocktail in a champagne flute – just leave out the ice cubes.
• To garnish, we recommend a pineapple wedge and a single whole strawberry. Perch the pineapple wedge on the rim of your glass, and drop the strawberry directly into the drink.
• If you want to exaggerate the flavor and aroma of the orange curaçao, you might like to garnish your drink with an orange wheel.