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 a 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, 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 spritz, here are a few tips to make sure they are delicious:

• The beautiful thing about a spritz recipe is that they are very 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.  Chill in the refrigerator and then add ice before serving.  
• 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.

Recipe Details

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. Onto the ice, you’ll add 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 but not agitate the bubbles from the Prosecco and sparkling water too much.  Garnish with a couple slices of fresh lemon, serve, and enjoy!

If you give this Lillet Blanc recipe a try, be sure to tag @laura.loves.to.cook on Instagram, Tik Tok,

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