If you've never had the aperitif known as Lillet Rouge, you'll want to know that it's fruity, complex, and satisfying in its own right. But it shines even brighter when paired with sweet and spicy ginger beer. Add a wedge of grapefruit, and you've got an unbeatable combination of ease and excellence.
Bold name aside, this aperitif is light and refreshing. At 18 percent alcohol, Lillet Rouge is a natural fit for day drinking, as it'll offer a subtle buzz without knocking you off your feet.
In honor of National Aperitif Day (today, May 16), we'll be whetting our appetites with a light and refreshing predinner drink, and with these six enticing aperitif recipes, you can (and should) follow suit. From a bold and boisterous negroni to a delicate sparkling grapefruit and Lillet concoction, these easy-to-create cocktails are more than worth adding to your bartending repertoire.
Light, refreshing, and almost too easy to sip on, this sparkling Lillet aperitif is just the ticket for starting a weekend off on the right note. Even better, it clocks in at a mere four ingredients and requires naught but a languid stir in the glass and a quick swipe of a vegetable peeler along a juicy orange for the twist garnish.
If you're not yet familiar with the concept of the "elegant hour" — essentially cocktail hour, with an emphasis on delicate aperitifs — embrace the idea by sipping this sparkling stunner slowly.
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
Tomorrow is Bastille Day, so I thought I should quiz you on some French liquors - yes the French produce other drinks aside from wine. So between the aperitif Lillet Blanc and the versatile liqueur Pernod (considered an aperitif, digestif and pastis - meaning drink it any time you want) which do you think has fewer calories - ounce to ounce?
In the new Bond movie, Casino Royale (check out premiere pics over at PopSugar and a fantastic review at BuzzSugar), our favorite spy orders the original Bond martini. I say original because it's exactly what Ian Fleming wrote in the first Bond novel.
"Three measures of Gordon’s [gin], one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet, shake it over ice then add a thin slice of lemon peel."
The twist here lies in the french aperitif wine Lillet (the company has dropped Kina from their name since the book came out). Made from sauvignon blanc, it has a nice aroma and a mild bitter aftertaste and is typically served over ice (with or without soda water). It's not always easy to find, but your well stocked bartender should be able to hook you up. So go out and order a martini Bond style!
