Lillet Blanc

Absolutely refreshing and delicious. Perfect when mixed with something or all on its own. Versatile and unique.

Appearance: Bright straw-gold Aroma: Sweet white grape juice, peach, apricot, orange blossom water and honey. Flavour and Texture: Sweet, crisp vibrant entry. Lime marmalade, honey and ripe apricots. There are some light citrus notes and a very faint hint of resin, but it's barely noticed. The texture is silky, but also crisp. The nose is very reminiscent of moscato, white muscat or a noble riesling and the palate follows suit. The only way this diverges from a sweet dessert wine is the hint of bitterness in the background and a more lightly textured body. The bitter notes are from citrus and cinchona bark extract (but the quinine component was greatly reduced 1986). The older, more bitter product that predated this was called Kina Lillet, and if you want to get an idea of what it tasted like grab a bottle of Cocchi Americano Aperitivo, which is quite similar. Lillet is excellent neat over ice as a refreshing aperitif and also delightful as a spritz or long drink. Lillet and tonic is a great two-ingredient drink but it seems to be something of a secret - it's a fabulous alternative to a gin & tonic when you feel like less alcohol. Try experimenting with a dash of amaro or bitters and a variety of garnishes as well. If you want to beef it up try adding a little cognac. It appears in many old-school cocktails but remember these were originally created with the older Kina Lillet as the ingredient, so contemporary Lillet may result in an unbalanced level of sweetness. If you do get this impression I'd recommend a drop or two of grapefruit bitters to restore the balance. A refined but light-hearted classic that should be in every bar. "Excellent" : 88/100 (4.5 stars)