Kir Royale Macarons
A kir royale is the perfect cocktail for when you want to feel fancy, and these raspberry champagne macarons capture the flavors beautifully! With their sweet almond shells, juicy fresh raspberries, and champagne Swiss buttercream filling, these cute little pastries are just right for a shower or Oscars viewing party.
I’m on a raspberry kick, y’all.
I made a raspberry layer cake. Raspberry Linzer cookies. Raspberry fritters. And now here I am with these pretty little raspberry champagne macarons, inspired by my favorite fancy cocktail, the kir royale.
I’m sorry! I just can’t help myself. They’re so prettyyyyyyyyy! And with the Oscar awards happening this weekend, I just felt inspired, to make something equally fancy and glamorous to match the occasion.
I will never forget the first time I had a kir royale. It was at a Mother’s Day brunch, and I swear, it made me feel so grown up and elegant! I never forgot it, and I still order it often, when I’m celebrating a special occasion or just want something to lift my mood and make me feel special.
Technically, a kir royale is made with champagne and creme de cassis, which I guess is currant? But when I first had it, it was made with Chambord and it had a perfect fresh raspberry bobbing amongst the golden champagne bubbles. Honestly I think flavor-wise there’s not a whole lot of difference between raspberry liqueur and creme de cassis, so hopefully you’ll pardon me for not completely adhering to the rules of classic mixology!
Regardless, these macarons are a really fun and feminine treat that would be right at home at the Oscars. And I think they’d work really well for a bridal shower or baby shower as well.
If you’ve never made macarons before, definitely give it a try! They’re actually a lot of fun and kind of addictive! Once you’ve had success with your first batch, you’ll want to try them again and again, dreaming up all sorts of fun flavor combinations. Check out this video tutorial I made last year to learn the basics.
And have a great weekend!
Kir Royale Macarons
Ingredients
- 1 batch Basic Macarons, tinted with pink gel paste food color, and piped 2 1/2-inches in diameter
- 1 cup (236 ml) champagne,, prosecco, or sparkling white wine
- 2 egg whites
- 2/3 cup (133.33 g) granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup (151.33 g) unsalted butter, (1 stick plus 5 tablespoons), softened but cool
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Bake the macaron shells according to the recipe directions.
- Place the champagne in a small pot, and cook over medium-low heat until reduced by more than half. (You should have about 3 tablespoons.) Set aside and allow to cool completely.
- Arrange 5 or 6 fresh raspberries around the outside edges of half the macaron shells.
- Place the egg whites and sugar in a large metal mixing bowl and set over a pot of barely simmering water. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the mixture is very warm to the touch and no longer feels gritty when rubbed between the thumb and forefinger (about 5 minutes). Remove the bowl from the heat and whip on medium-high speed until stiff and glossy and completely cool. (There should be no hint of warmth when you place your hand on the side of the bowl.) Whip in the butter, a tablespoon at a time. (If the buttercream seems runny, place the entire bowl + whisk in the refrigerator for 10 to 20 minutes, then re-whip.) Stir in the reserved champagne reduction and transfer the mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a 2A tip.
- Pipe a small amount of buttercream into the well created by the raspberries. Sandwich with remaining macaron shells.
These macarons are absolutely stunning, Allie! So so creative with the champagne buttercream and raspberries! Your photos are so Oscar-worthy too 🙂
Lol that is so sweet of you to say! You always make the prettiest macarons so I take that as a huge compliment. Thanks Kelly!
These are so pretty! And the champagne buttercream sounds amazing 🙂 Macarons are the one thing I have never been able to master for some reason, I shall have to persevere trying so that one day I can make these beauties…
Definitely persevere Hannah! When you finally have success you’ll feel on top of the world! 🙂
Allie, these macarons are so beautiful! I’m in love with your photo styling too. I just need a dozen of these paired with a dozen kir royales and I’ll be good to go 😉
Haha yes! Thank you! I think just about anything would be good after a dozen kir royales 😉
They are perfect! 🙂 And I love raspberries!
I’m so glad you do Julia! Because I’m on a real raspberry kick these days. Thank you so much- I hope you had a great weekend 🙂
Spot on Allie! Perfect for the Oscars! So fancy! I think I’ll have to dress up when I eat these beauties!
Haha I just love the idea of that, Mary Ann! I’m picturing you in an evening gown with a glass of champagne in one hand and a macaron in the other. Thank you so much my friend!
Allie, these are gorgeous!!!!
Thank you so much dear! Safe travels this weekend xoxo
I can’t believe that I still haven’t made macarons. They have been on my baking “to-do” list for a long time now. I need to get on that. This are so cute, Allie. Love the color!
I bet the minute you try you will fall in love! There’s something about mastering macarons- they are addictive! And I bet you could come up with some fabulous flavor ideas… 🙂 Thanks so much Liz!
These are so so beautiful! Perfect for any special occasion 🙂
Thank you so much Mel! I hope you’re enjoying what’s left of the weekend. 🙂
Just so beautiful!! You know how I feel about Macarons so u know I’m in love with these. Plus champagne is just a bonus to get me excited about these.
Yes! We both feel the same about macarons, my dear! Thank you so much; hope you’re enjoying the red carpet coverage right now!