If you're looking for an alternative to a classic Aperol spritz, look no further than a refreshing Lillet spritz cocktail. It's such a simple spritz 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 refreshingly simple Lillet Blanc spritz recipe for your next happy hour!
It’s refreshing. It's sweet with slightly herbal notes and incredibly crisp from the soda water, it's perfect to sip on sunny days.
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 Blanc Spritz. Spritzes are a classic cocktail with so many variations!
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! If you don't have prosecco, any sparkling wine will do.
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.
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. You can make some delicious cocktails like this spritz or a Vesper martini.
Don't have Lillet? Here is a list of substitutions you can use!
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 a touch of sweetness with notes of orange, honey, and exotic fruit. It's not quite like white wine, but they have some similar flavors going on. Citrusy Lillet Blanc is perfect to make spritz drinks with.
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.
How to make a Lillet spritz
It could not be any easier to make this Lillet Spritzer.
- In a wine glass filled with ice cubes, add in your Lillet.
- Add in your prosecco and then top it with your soda water.
- Give it a gentle stir, garnish, and cheers!
Garnish ideas
- Orange slices are always so pretty to use as a garnish, especially with the color of the spritz.
- A strawberry slice is another great way to incorporate color and fresh fruit.
- A sprig of mint is always a picture-perfect garnish.
- 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. Depending on which type of Lillet you use, you'll either be making a Lillet Blanc Spritz or a Lillet Rosé Spritz. You'll fall in love at first sip.
I would avoid using Lillet Rouge for this particular recipe.
FAQ
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.
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
Lillet Spritz
If you're looking for an alternative to a classic Aperol spritz, look no further than a refreshing Lillet spritz cocktail. It's such a simple spritz to make and is an ideal summer drink.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Lillet Blanc
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 oz club soda
Instructions
- In a wine glass filled with lots of ice, add in your Lillet.
- Add in your prosecco and then top it with your soda water.
- Give it a light stir, garnish, and cheers!
Notes
which version of lillet to use
I prefer to use Lillet Blanc for this recipe, but you can certainly use Lillet Rose as well. Depending on which type of Lillet you use, you'll either be making a Lillet Blanc Spritz or a Lillet Rosé Spritz. You'll fall in love at first sip.
I would avoid using Lillet Rouge for this particular recipe.
garnish ideas
- Orange slices are always so pretty to use as a garnish, especially with the color of the spritz.
- A strawberry slice is another great way to incorporate color and fresh fruit.
- A sprig of mint is always a picture-perfect garnish.
- A lemon twist to go along with the freshly squeezed lemon in the cocktail is also a great option.
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