If you're looking for an alternative to a classic Aperol spritz, look no further than a refreshing Lillet spritz cocktail. It's so easy to make and is an ideal summer drink.

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You’ll love this Lillet spritz.

It’s easy to make. Just a few simple ingredients are all you need to make this Lillet spritz recipe!

It’s refreshing. It's sweet with slightly herbal notes and incredibly crisp from the soda water, it's perfect to sip on a hot summer day.

What makes a drink a spritz?

A spritz is a wine-based cocktail. It's always comprised of three things, prosecco, a bitter liqueur, and soda water or club soda. Aperol spritzes have grown in popularity in the last few years, but there are so many fun variations like a Campari spritz, a limoncello spritz or this Lillet Spritz. Spritzes are a classic cocktail with so many variations!

What is Lillet?

Lillet (pronounced lee-LAY) is a French aperitif made of fortified wine, various grapes (depending on the Lillet blend), and a blend of citrus liqueurs. You'll definitely want to add this to your liquor collection for the spring and summer.

Types of Lillet

Lillet Blanc. This is the most common type and the type I used in this recipe. It's made with mainly Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes and has notes of orange, honey, and exotic fruit. It's not quite like white wine, but they have some similar flavors going on.

Lillet Rosé. This is so fun to have around for spring and summer cocktails. The color is so much fun and it has notes of berries, grapefruit, and orange blossom. Semillon is the dominant grape in this blend.

Lillet Rouge. Unlike the rose and blanc variations, rouge is made mainly from Merlot grapes and it has notes of dark fruits like plum and blackberry.

Ingredients

Lillet Blanc. I prefer to use Lillet Blanc in this recipe, I like how the citrus flavors complement the freshly squeezed lemon juice. However, if you want to try this recipe with Lillet Rose, go right ahead!

Prosecco. Of course, a crucial ingredient to any spritz is prosecco. If you're mixing things into your prosecco, you don't need to get a crazy expensive bottle. Truthfully, I love the Kirkland prosecco from Costco!

Lemon. I like adding just a bit of fresh lemon into this Lillet spritz recipe to brighten it up and add an element of freshness!

Soda Water. Similar to prosecco, you need soda water (or club soda) for a spritz recipe to be a spritz.

How to make a Lillet spritz.

1. In a wine glass filled with lots of ice, add in your Lillet.
2. Add in your prosecco and then top it with your soda water.
3. Give it a light stir, garnish, and cheers!

Garnish ideas

1. Orange slices are always so pretty to use as a garnish, especially with the color of the spritz.
2. A strawberry slice is another great way to incorporate color and fresh fruit.
3. A sprig of mint is always a picture-perfect garnish.
4. A lemon twist to go along with the freshly squeezed lemon in the cocktail is also a great option.

Which version of Lillet to use

I prefer to use Lillet Blanc for this recipe, but you can certainly use Lillet Rose as well. I would avoid using Lillet Rouge for this particular recipe.

What is Lillet made of?

Lillet is a French apéritif made of a blend of grapes, specific to which Lillet you purchase, fortified wine and a blend of citrus liqueurs.

FAQ

What does Lillet taste like?

Lillet Blanc, specifically, is very light with a bit of herbal and citrus notes. It reminds me a bit of white wine!

How do you pronounce Lillet?

Lillet is pronounced lee-LAY.

Is Lillet similar to aperol?

They are not similar, but you can make delicious spritz recipes with either. Lillet is French and Aperol is Italian. Additionally, Lillet is a fortified wine so you don't get the bitterness you do with Aperol.

Amazon home finds

If you don't already have fun wine glasses to drink Lillet cocktails out of, you need some! If you want some stemless wine glasses, these are perfect and practical!

Pin it for later!

Want more sparkling cocktail recipes?

• Lemon Vodka Spritzer
• Peach Aperol Spritz
• Limoncello Spritz
• Raspberry Champagne Cocktail
• Fall Aperol Spritz