Kir & Kir Royale Cocktail Story - Recipe

In France during World War II,

When the Nazis marched on Dijon, many local officials fled. A priest in the Catholic church, 'Felix Kir', stayed in the city and helped more than 4,000 prisoners of war escape from a camp near the city.

According to legend, when the Nazis confiscated Burgundy's iconic red wines,

Felix Kir would go out to the city square and combine the city's signature red wine,

with the Aligote white wine,

'Here is our new red wine',

in a truly French way, he responded to the Nazis' attack.

He combined the existing dry white wine, Aligoté, with Creme De Casis, a type of blackcurrant liqueur, to mimic the color of Burgundy's classic reds.

Kir’s war heroism earned him a place in France’s Legion D’onneur, and he served as mayor of Dijon from 1945 until his death in 1968.

Kir:

Cocktail Recipe

3 cl Dijon Creme De Casis Liqueur

12 cl Aligote White Wine if available, or you can use non-fruity Dry White Wines.

Preparation: Prepared in a glass using the Built-Up technique. Simply stir the liqueur and wine thoroughly.

Kir Royale:

3 cl Dijon Creme De Casis Liqueur

12 cl Champagne Brut

Preparation: Prepared in a glass using the Built-Up technique. Simply stir the liqueur and wine gently.

We wish you healthy and happy times.

Hoping to meet again in the workshops.

Uğur Arslan

Founder of Jigger Istanbul