Lillet Blanc is a French aperitif wine worth trying! Its crisp, pure taste makes it perfect for sipping in cocktails.
What is Lillet Blanc and why is everyone obsessed with it? This French aperitif wine has become popular here in the United States in recent years. Take a sip and you’ll see why it’s worth the hype. The taste is crisp, floral and slightly sweet: incredibly refreshing with an intriguing botanical finish. It pairs well with Club Soda for the best sparkling and hydrating drinks: and it’s included in some classic cocktails too. We always keep a bottle of Lillet in our fridge: here’s why!
What is Lillet Blanc?
Small white is a French flavored wine: a white wine enriched with fruits, herbs and other botanicals. It was originally known as Kina Lillet, invented in 1887 and flavored with quinine. Lillet Blanc replaced Kina in 1986 and has a lower quinine content. It has become popular in bars and restaurants for its fresh, floral flavor.
Lillet is actually a family of flavored French wines. There are several types of Lillet made up of different wines: Lillet Blanc, Lillet Rosé and Lillet Rouge. What is flavored wine? It is a brandy-infused wine that is then infused with herbs, spices, fruit, or other botanicals. It’s a type of fortified wine like vermouth, but fortified wines don’t have additional flavors added to them.
How do you pronounce Lillet Blanc? It’s French so say it”Li Lay Blahn.”
How does Lillet Blanc taste?
Lillet Blanc is lively and light, with subtle floral, herbaceous and citrus notes. It tastes like a semi-sweet white vermouth with intriguing herbal notes on the finish. It’s light, refreshing, and incredibly versatile for mixing into cocktails.
How much alcohol does Lillet Blanc contain? It has 17% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it has an average alcohol content similar to that of wine.
Are there substitutes for Lillet Blanc? You can substitute cocchi americano, but it’s a lot sweeter (it’s made with Moscato wine). For a DIY substitute, use white vermouth with a dash of cocktail bitters to add the herbal finish.
Why we love it
Bartenders are obsessed with Lillet Blanc and so are we! The crunchy floral flavor is so refreshing and perfect for mixing into spritzes, spritzers or a G&T. In the summer, we take a bottle and pour it into herb-filled wine glasses with club soda: no measuring needed! It’s one of our favorite types of alcohol because it’s so easy to drink: a no-frills drinking solution.
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liqueurs is Lillet Blanc at a low price. A 750ml bottle costs about $20.
The most popular Lillet Blanc cocktails
So many great cocktails can be made with this appetizer! We love it in a spritzer, but there are a few classic cocktails that use it too. Here are some drinks to try:
This famous Lillet Blanc cocktail was invented by James Bond. Discover the Vesper Martini! Yes, James Bond himself created this drink in the 1953 book Casino royale, and he is still alive today. The magic ingredient is Lillet Blanc, which gives life and personality to this drink. (The original Vesper was made with Kina Lillet, the previous generation of Lillet Blanc.)
Ingredients: Gin, Vodka, Lillet Blanc
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One of the best ways to drink Lillet Blanc: the Lillet Spritz! Light and bubbly, tart and citrusy, it couldn’t be easier to make. Mix it with champagne, lemon and gin and you have a light and fresh cocktail that has been written all over.
Ingredients: Lillet Blanc, Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Club Soda
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Here’s a 1930’s Lillet cocktail as unique as its name… the Corpse Reviver No 2! The humorous name indicates that the drink was strong enough to lift a body from the grave! It’s a sour gin that’s tangy and tangy, made with lemon juice and orange liqueur, with hints of liquorice in the absinthe finish.
Ingredients: Gin, Lemon Juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, Absinthe
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Here’s a memorable, botanical and sparkling cocktail: the Lillet G&T! This Lillet cocktail features the popular fortified wine disguised as a gin and tonic. The taste is perfectly fresh, with floral and herbaceous notes of Lillet Blanc and gin.
Ingredients: Lillet Blanc, gin, tonic
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The description
The elegant Vesper Martini is cool, crisp and herbaceous: an intriguing twist that’s shaken, not stirred! Invented by James Bond, it has become a true classic.
- 1½ ounce*Gin
- ½ ounce vodka
- ¼ ounce Small white
- Pour gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc into a shaker and fill with ice. Shake until cool.
- Strain the drink into a cocktail glass.
- Use a knife to remove a 1 inch wide strip of lemon zest. Squeeze the lemon zest into the drink to release the oils. Carefully run the zest around the rim of the glass, then place in the glass and serve.
Remarks
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
- Category: drink
- Method: Shocked
- Kitchen: cocktails
- Diet: vegan
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