The Drink of the Summer
In the 2020’s it’s hard to throw a straw without hitting a patio filled with Spritz-drinking patrons. And to be honest, I’m likely one of them. Starting this summer, though, I’m officially switching to the Lillet Spritz. It’s so refreshing, and honestly something I could drink all day without tiring of it. Some of the spirits added to other spritz drinks can lean either bitter or a bit sweet, but this one falls in the middle of the spectrum in perfect balance.
Lillet Blanc is a French aperitive with a light, citrusy flavor. I’ve been lucky enough to try a few drinks with Lillet Blanc in the past, and it’s a beautifully light spirit. As soon as I learned of the concept of Lillet in a spritz-style cocktail, I couldn’t wait to create one at home. Who knew a French aperitive mixed with an Italian classic could make such a perfectly light and refreshing cocktail?
This cocktail may not have the popularity of the Aperol Spritz, but it absolutely deserves a special spot in your summer drink menu. The Lillet Spritz is even brighter and refreshing than its electric orange cousin, in my opinion. If you’re a fan of drinking a cool glass of white wine on a warm day, this is the cocktail for you!
Tips for Making a Great Lillet Spritz
When you make this perfect Lillet Spritz, here are a few tips to make sure it’s delicious:
- To reduce the amount of fizz that happens when you pour the ingredients into the glass, tilt the glass to the side and pour the liquid so it hits near the top. The more distance the liquid needs to travel, the fizzier it gets!
- If you want to get a little fancy, add a sprig of mint to your spritz. The citrusy flavor of Lillet Blanc pairs very nicely with the herby flavor of mint. Plus, an herby garnish will impress all of your guests.
- Since you’ll likely be enjoying this in the warmer months of summer, make sure to add plenty of ice. If you think your ice will melt quickly, temper the amount of sparkling water you add. If you’re concerned about your ice melting quickly, par down the sparkling water to a ½ ounce.
- Have leftover Prosecco left in the bottle? Keep it fresh and bubbly with a sparkling wine specific stopper. I love this one (link) from Williams Sonoma.
Common Questions When Making a Lillet Spritz
Q: Can I prepare this drink ahead of time?
- A: I don’t recommend making this drink ahead of time, as the sparkling water and Prosecco can go flat. This drink is best made right before enjoying it.
Q: Is this an easy drink to make for a party?
- A: Absolutely! The beautiful thing about a spritz recipe is that they are simple to make for one or many. To make a batch of 4 drinks, mix 1 cup Lillet Blanc, 1 cup Prosecco, and ½ cup sparkling water into a pitcher. Add ice to the glass right before serving and then divide the spritz among the four glasses.
How to Make a Lillet Spritz
The flavor profile of a Lillet Spritz is citrusy, bright, and effervescent. It’s less bitter than an Aperol Spritz, but does not lean into the sweet cocktail arena at all. It’s in that perfect spot where it’s truly just refreshing. It’s incredibly light and has a balanced, subtle flavor making it an easy drinking glass. To create a Lillet Spritz, it’s a combination of three flavors: Lillet Blanc, Processo, and sparkling water.
To create a serving of this drink, you’ll first add a scoop of crushed ice to a glass. Over the ice, you’ll pour equal parts Lillet Blanc and Prosecco. To the glass you’ll then add a half part of sparkling water and give the drink a gentle stir, just to blend the ingredients together. Stirring too aggressively will agitate the bubbles from the Prosecco and sparkling water too much. Garnish with a couple slices of fresh lemon, serve, and enjoy!
Looking for more spritz-style drinks to enjoy? I love my Aperol Paloma Spritz or a classic Aperol Spritz.
If you make this Lillet Spritz recipe, be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating – I can’t wait to hear how it goes. As always, tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook in your photos. It makes me feel like we’re getting to cook together!
Lillet Spritz
Description
A combination of Lillet Blanc, Prosecco, and sparkling water, this bright, refreshing cocktail is one to add to your spritz repertoire.
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a large wine glass or tumbler, add a large scoop of crushed ice to begin chilling the glass.
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Pour 2 ounces of Lillet Blanc and 2 ounces of Prosecco directly into the glass, over the crushed ice.
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Top the drink with 1 ounce of sparkling water (or a bit more depending on taste). Gently stir to mix the ingredients together.
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Garnish with slices of lemon, serve, and enjoy!
Can’t wait to try this tonight!!! I have a girlfriend coming over, and a chilled bottle of Lillet!
I hope you love it!! It’s the perfect girl’s night in cocktail!