I loooooooove champagne! It’s my absolute favourite drink and if I am drinking the good (French) stuff I tend not to mess with it because it is perfect on it’s own. However if I am drinking a more economical sparkling white wine the Kir Imperial is my go to cocktail. It takes a nice sparkling and turns it into an elegant champagne cocktail without the huge price tag.
What goes into a Kir Imperial?
It’s very simple with just three ingredients:
- Sparkling white wine (or champagne if you’re feeling fancy)
- Chambord (a French raspberry liqueur)
- Fresh raspberries for garnish
That’s it, super simple!
How do you make a Kir Imperial?
In a champagne flute or coupe pour 15 mls of Chambord liqueur, then slowly fill the rest of the glass with sparkling white wine. Pop a single fresh raspberry in the glass for garnish and that’s it!
Make sure you pour in the Chambord first, if you add the Chambord after the sparking wine it will fizz over the glass and make a mess.
What is the difference between a Kir Royale and a Kir Imperial?
Although these two champagne cocktails are quite similar there are a couple of differences. A Kir Royale is probably the more well known of the two, it calls for Champagne not Sparkling White Wine and Crème De Cassis (a blackcurrant liqueur) and is slightly sweeter than a Kir Imperial.
I prefer the Kir Imperial for the exact reason, because it uses raspberry liqueur instead of blackcurrant it has a slight tartness to it, which I really enjoy.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re hosting a soirée, celebrating a special moment, or simply indulging in a well-deserved treat, this champagne cocktail is sure to impress. Its vibrant colour and refreshing taste make it a standout choice for any gathering. So, grab your favourite champagne glass and try the effortless Kir Imperial Cocktail.