aperitif

• What Not to Wear's Clinton Kelly's ultimate guide to entertaining. — The Epi-Log
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• What's the difference between a digestif and an apéritif? — Chow
• 10 things Anthony Bourdain and David Chang hate. — Grub Street NY
• On Saturday Night Live, Guy Fieri gets attacked by birds. — Eat Me Daily

Nothing gets the conversation rolling at a party like flowing drinks. For a Bastille Day lunch, serve a refreshingly light apéritif-based cocktail, such as the Lillet-basil concoction seen here. Lillet is a French alcoholic drink made from a blend of wine, brandy, fruits, and herbs.

Traditionally it's served over ice, but this recipe makes it more festive by combining it with fresh orange juice, basil, and cucumber spears. When you sit down to eat the Niçoise salad, pour a crisp classic French white. To check out the Lillet cocktail recipe, please read more