Why Is Everyone Buzzing About My Grandma’s Favorite Cocktail?

My grandma may be many things, but a trendsetter isn’t one of them. At 99 years old, she’s not exactly one for new fads—she's known for sticking to the same breakfast every day for decades. So, I was surprised when I found out her go-to cocktail is suddenly all the rage. Is my nana unintentionally launching the first cocktail trend of 2023? I had to find out.

It turns out, it’s not about Nana at all—it’s about Emily. *Emily in Paris*, that is. With the release of the third season of the popular Netflix series, one particular drink is stealing the spotlight: the Kir Royale.

What Exactly Is a Kir Royale?

A Kir Royale is a sparkling cocktail made with champagne and fruit liqueur, typically crème de cassis. Crème de cassis is a French liqueur made from black currants, and it’s been crafted the same way in Burgundy for over 150 years. Some people substitute Chambord, a raspberry-based fruit liqueur, in place of cassis when needed.

Crème de cassis gives the Kir Royale its signature deep red color, resulting in a beautiful pink drink. It's traditionally served in a champagne flute, and sometimes garnished with a raspberry to highlight its rosy hue, although that's not always the case. As for the taste, it’s sweet, with the level of sweetness depending on how much cassis liqueur you use and the type of champagne you choose. One character in *Emily in Paris* describes it as ‘a fizzy wine cooler.’

Not a fan of sparkling wines? The Kir Royale is just one variation of the classic Kir, which uses the same crème de cassis liqueur but swaps champagne for dry white wine instead.

When Is the Right Time for a Kir Royale?

Time for a quick French lesson. The Kir Royale is usually served as an apéritif, the French term for a drink offered before dinner or with appetizers, meant to stimulate the appetite. ‘Apéro’, short for apéritif, refers to the time of day these drinks are enjoyed, and it’s a long-standing tradition in French culture.

L'apéro, as it’s called, is a bit like a cocktail hour combined with Spanish tapas: a social time when people pause their activities (usually late afternoon or early evening) to gather over light drinks and small bites. It’s also the perfect time for drinks like the Aperol Spritz or a Negroni Sbagliato.

Apéro is the setting where Emily Cooper, the main character from *Emily in Paris*, first tries a Kir Royale. While sitting by the Ferris wheel in Tuileries Garden, Emily discovers the sparkling cocktail while catching up with old colleagues. The drink plays a recurring role throughout season 3 of the show, even being pitched as the next big canned cocktail trend for the ‘18-35’ crowd.

This light, fizzy cocktail is ready for a major resurgence if Emily Cooper is to be believed. With its pink color, sweet taste, and brunch-friendly vibe, it’s practically the millennial dream drink. It’s already gaining momentum, with Google searches for ‘Kir Royale’ soaring since the season aired.

Feeling inspired to try this drink yourself? Here’s just how easy it is to make one.

How to Prepare a Kir Royale

While you sadly can’t get your hands on Champére, the fictional champagne from the show, you can easily make this drink at home. To create a Kir Royale, follow this simple recipe or just add a splash of crème de cassis liqueur to your bubbly the next time you open a bottle. Aim for about 1 tablespoon per flute, but I suggest adjusting the amount based on your champagne’s sweetness or dryness.

The Kir Royale is just the latest addition to a growing list of classic cocktails being revived by Gen Z, partly driven by social media. Martinis, Manhattans, Cosmopolitans... Which got me thinking, what other vintage drinks do you think are making a comeback in 2023?