Celebrate in style with this great Champagne drink!

The original Kir (pronounced "keer") was developed in Dijon, France. It is named after Father Felix Kir. Fr. Kir was not only a priest, but a resistance fighter during World War II. After the war he was elected again and again to the post of mayor from 1945 to 1965. At all receptions he was served his favorite drink, the Kir (when made with white wine) or the Kir Royal (when made with Champagne).

The Kir Royal is a fantastic drink to serve at parties and special occasions. It is made with one-fifth Crème de Cassis to four-fifths Champagne. Your guests will be delighted with this simple, but tasty cocktail.

What is Crème de Cassis? It is a liquor made from black currant berries. It is easily found in most wine and liquor stores. Crème de Cassis also hails from Dijon, in the Burgundy region of France.

You can create other types of Kir Royal with the following liqours:

• Crème de framboise (raspberry)
• Crème de fraise (strawberry)
• Crème de mûre (blackberry)
• Crème de myrtille (blueberry)
• Crème de pêche (peach)
• Crème d'abricot (apricot)
• Crème de griotte (cherry)

Having a selection of these liquors will allow your guests to try new flavors with minimal fuss on your part. One advantage to serving Kir Royal is that you can serve a great drink without having to purchase over priced Champagne. Domestic sparkling wine or Asti Spumanti works well with Kir Royal. Buy a Brut or Secco (dry) wine. The sweetness of the liquor will allow your quests to customize their drinks according to personal tastes.

You can offer your younger guests a Faux Kir Royal.

• 1 1/2 shot raspberry syrup
• sparkling grape juice
• ice cubes

Pour syrup over ice cubes and top up with sparkling grape juice in a flute.

Raise your glasses with this tasty cocktail and welcome in a happy New Year.

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