With two Royal Nuptials this summer there is a lot to celebrate and what better way to do it than with English Sparking Wine and British Cassis

This summer you are invited to raise a glass to the two Royal couples with a truly British tipple. British Cassis, the premium blackcurrant liqueur, has proposed a perfect cocktail fit for toasting this year’s royal weddings – The British Royale.

The British Royale is a twist on the traditional Kir Royal and is the ideal way to celebrate the newlyweds on their big day by adding some depth and flavour to the traditional glass of bubbles.

The British Royale is a deliciously simple cocktail created by adding British Cassis liqueur to your favourite glass of (preferably English) fizz. With a natural and rich blackcurrant taste, the drink is a striking deep pink and gives off fruity notes that match the gentle acidity of the wine – the subtle enhancement results in a burst of summer flavours. The British Royale is an unexpected tasting experience, an easy serve and a real crowd pleaser.

British Cassis brand owner Jo Hilditch says: “It used to be the case that us Brits needed to rely on French champagne and Cassis to create this summery toast but not anymore – we’ll be raising a British Royale to toast the Royal Couples”

Peter Morrell AMG Food Editor commented “This is a delicious drink with intense fruit flavours and the versatility of British Cassis allows you to get very creative. Try it with an aromatic English wine made with the bacchus grape or pour it over good quality Cornish ice cream.”

How to make a British Royale:

Ingredients

• British Cassis
• English sparkling wine – we recommend Castle Brook Vineyards 2013 Classic Cuvée
• Blackcurrants

Method

1. Pop a trio of blackcurrants in a chilled flute or coupette and add a generous dash of British Cassis.
2. Top with your favourite sparkling wine.
3. Add some candy floss on the top of the drink for an even more extravagant cocktail!

British Cassis (50 cl) is available online and at many retail outlets all over the UK including Waitrose, Majestic and Whole Foods stores. RRP £19.99.

Castle Brook Vineyards 2013 Classic Cuvée (75 cl) is available online www.castlebrookvineyard.co.uk and Waitrose and M&S online. RRP £30.

About British Cassis

British Cassis is part of the White Heron Brands portfolio. Founded by Jo Hilditch, White Heron’s first products were produced using fruit from Whittern Farms, in Herefordshire, which has been in her family for four generations. White Heron’s mission is to bring quality food and drink products to the consumer using only British-grown ingredients.

Premium liqueur, British Cassis, is a British take on a classic French crème de Cassis, made with pressed juice from Herefordshire blackcurrants. British Cassis is made using a technique particular to White Heron, which draws on classic winemaking in order to capture the intensity of the freshly picked British blackcurrants. Once the blackcurrant juice has fermented naturally with champagne yeast, it is blended with a little vodka to fortify and sweeten in order to accentuate the rich, fruity flavours. The liquid is then bottled, ready to be enjoyed.

www.whiteherondrinks.co.uk

About Castle Brook Vineyards

Castle Brook was established by the Chinn family on the site of an ancient Roman vineyard, with the aim to produce the finest sparkling wine. The vineyard, which is made of two hectares of classic Champagne grape varieties, lies on a steep south facing slope in the Wye Valley, Herefordshire.

The Classic Cuvée 2013 is made of 50% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 17% Pinot Meunier.

It is delicate and crisp on the palate and shows a hint of lemon blossom. Brioche and toasty yeast notes add complexity to the finish.

‘Simply gorgeous: light, effervescent, floral, grassy. Summer in a glass.’ – The Independent

www.castlebrookvineyard.co.uk