French Cassis Champagne Spritzer
A refreshing French-inspired spritzer that layers the deep, sweet notes of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) with sparkling apple cider and a touch of fresh lemon juice. This elegant drink is perfect for brunch, celebrations, or anytime you want something festive without alcohol content being the focus. The combination creates a beautiful jewel-toned beverage with balanced tartness and natural sweetness.
Steps
Before you start
- Chill your glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes
- Have sparkling apple cider and crème de cassis well-chilled
- Use fresh lemon juice if possible—bottled juice will affect flavor
Chill the glass
- Place the highball or wine glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before making the drink.
- A cold glass keeps the drink refreshing and prevents dilution.
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Ready when: Glass is frosty and very cold
Tip: Pre-chilling the glass is essential for a spritzer—it prevents premature melting of ice and keeps flavors from becoming diluted.
Pour crème de cassis
- Pour 0.5 fl oz (15 ml) of chilled crème de cassis into the cold glass.
- The liqueur should be dark burgundy and coat the bottom of the glass.
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Ready when: Cassis liqueur poured and settled at the bottom
Tip: Keep the cassis in the freezer—it thickens when very cold, which creates a beautiful layered effect when the bubbly drinks are added.
Add lemon juice and stir
- Pour 0.25 fl oz (7 ml) of freshly squeezed lemon juice into the glass.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon for about 10 seconds to blend the cassis and lemon slightly.
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Ready when: Lemon juice is mixed into the cassis, creating a darker burgundy color
Tip: Don't stir too vigorously—gentle stirring maintains the elegant layered effect in the finished drink.
Add sparkling apple cider
- Slowly pour 3 fl oz (90 ml) of well-chilled sparkling apple cider into the glass.
- The cider will rise gently over the cassis mixture, creating a translucent amber-burgundy color.
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Ready when: Cider is poured and the drink takes on an amber-burgundy hue
Tip: Pour slowly down the back of a bar spoon to maintain the beautiful color gradient and prevent the drink from foaming too much.
Top with champagne
- Gently pour 2.5 fl oz (75 ml) of well-chilled champagne or sparkling wine over the back of a bar spoon into the glass.
- The bubbles will create effervescence throughout the drink.
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Ready when: Champagne is added and fine bubbles rise throughout the drink
Tip: Add the champagne last and right before serving to maximize the bubbles and ensure a lively, effervescent final drink.
Garnish and serve
- Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon to mix the flavors slightly while maintaining some of the beautiful color layers.
- Drop a lemon twist or fresh mint sprig into the glass as garnish.
- Serve immediately.
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Ready when: Drink is fully assembled, garnished, and ready to serve
Tip: A lemon twist not only looks elegant but releases a touch of citrus oil that enhances the aroma and flavor of the spritzer.
Good to know
Tips
- The key to an elegant spritzer is temperature—all components must be well-chilled before serving, which is why pre-chilling the glass is essential.
- Crème de cassis is a traditional French liqueur made in Dijon. Look for brands like Brizard or Massenez for authentic flavor, though any quality cassis will work.
- This drink is sometimes called a 'Kir Royale' when made with champagne and cassis, making it a sophisticated choice for celebrations.
- To make this non-alcoholic, replace the champagne with sparkling water and the crème de cassis with blackcurrant syrup—the flavor remains delicious.
Storage & reheating
This is a drink meant to be consumed immediately after preparation. Do not store—make fresh for each serving.
Substitutions
- champagne or sparkling wine → Prosecco or other sparkling wine. Prosecco offers a slightly sweeter profile and is more budget-friendly while maintaining the festive, bubbly character.
- sparkling apple cider → Sparkling white grape juice or ginger ale. Sparkling grape juice keeps the drink naturally sweet; ginger ale adds spice and complexity to the flavor profile.
- crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) → Homemade blackcurrant syrup (1 tbsp blackcurrant jam mixed with 1 tbsp water). Creates a non-alcoholic version while preserving the rich blackcurrant flavor that defines this drink.
- fresh lemon juice → Fresh lime juice. Lime adds a slightly more tropical and sharp citrus note, creating a different but equally refreshing variation.
