We have friends coming for a small dinner party tonight and I am serving one of my favorite dishes--Coq Au Vin Rouge or Chicken in Red Wine.
As an aperitif, I am serving a classic French drink called a Royal Kir which is considered a little more sophisticated than Kir. It is creme de cassis (made from black currants) mixed with champagne and served in a champagne flute. Kir is creme de cassis but made with a white wine from the Burgundy area of France and is served in a wine glass. Both versions are equally good, I just think the bubbles from the champagne and a champagne flute make the drink a little more elegant.
I first had this in a Paris restaurant when my children were to young to drink and the owner of the restaurant greeted our family and quickly served EACH of us this drink without us even asking or expecting us to pay.
MY TIP: Traditionally you pour the liquor first then add the wine or champagne, but to get the pretty purple color that floats on top of the drink add the wine or champagne then the liquor!
Recipe:
5 parts wine or champagne
1 parts creme de cassis
Garnish with a raspberry (optional)
