French for fancy with black raspberry liqueur from Chambord

MAKING a festive splash can be as easy as a gesture embraced by royalty 325 years ago. Except now, it's affordable to all.

This time-honoured three-stage fruit infusion embodies the spirit of celebration. Chambord may be French for elegance and a bold, fruity touch of decadence but its greatest appeal is versatility.

It makes a dashing 10ml start in a glass of Julien Dopff's cuvee (an affordable and dry drop from Alsace) and it salutes summer when cocktailed into soda and a slice of lime. At its heart is French cognac, Madagascar vanilla extract, aromatic herbs raspberries and blackberries.

Poured sparingly into a dry sparkling wine it seduces with aromas approaching rhubarb and apple crumble. It's rich, enchanting sweetness rounds out Dopff's lip-smacking dryness and the French flavour marriage just feels right.

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The twist: When King Louis XIV visited Chateau Chambord in 1865, little did he know his approval of an ancient berry liqueur would inspire modern drinking.

Attention to ingredient detail justifies indulgent sipping on ice alone.

Goes well: With holiday croissants.

Black Raspberry Liqueur

Chambord, France

$42

for 500ml

(16.5 per cent abv)

Sold nationally