Easy Lillet Spritz Recipe

An easy Lillet Spritz only requires a few ingredients, making it a bubbly and bright addition to your happy hour. Use either Lillet Blanc or Lillet Rosé for this recipe. We also included a fruit variation to customize the recipe however you want!

about this lillet spritz recipe

Spritz cocktails are always worth busting out for a celebration. If you love classic spritz cocktails like a limoncello spritz or aperol spritz, you definitely need to try this recipe that features Lillet, a French aperitif.

The drink itself is light and bubbly, making it a lovely addition to your afternoon happy hour or an evening gathering. With all of the ingredients coming together right in the glass, you don’t need to worry about muddling or a shaker to assemble each individual cocktail. You can simply assemble in the glass and serve with your favorite garnish!

Of course, the classic drink doesn’t call for fruit, but we love the fruit variation to make the drink seasonal, no matter when you are reading this! By incorporating seasonal fruits like ripe peaches in summer or crisp apples in fall, you can transform the classic Lillet Spritz into a personalized creation that reflects your taste and the time of year.

Whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with fruit variations, the Lillet Spritz is bound to become a staple in your entertaining repertoire. It’s light enough to serve as an aperitif, yet interesting enough to hold its own throughout a meal! Cheers!

what is a lillet spritz?

A lillet spritz is a refreshing combination of Lillet, a French wine aperitif, and sparkling wine in it’s classic form. You can also use another bubbly option for the drink like club soda (sparkling water) or tonic water. We find that this cocktail is super easy to customize by adding in your favorite fruit for added flavor.

what kind of alcohol is lillet?

Lillet (pronounced lee-LAY) is a type of French aperitif wine made with a blend of grapes and fortified with citrus liqueurs. It is sometimes mistaken as vermouth, but it is not because it does not contain wormwood. It has a higher ABV that a standard glass of wine, but it is still lower ABV that many heavier fortified wines.

ingredients

lillet. You can use either Lillet Blanc or Lillet Rosé in this recipe. See below for more information on the two types.

lemon. Fresh lemon is best for this cocktail!

fruit. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, pears, lemon, peaches, etc work wonderfully when paired with Lillet Blanc or Lillet Rosé. You can also omit the fruit completely, if you prefer.

herbs. Depending on the fruit you use, or if you don’t use any fruit, there’s a variety of herbs you can use. We use mint to pair with berries. You can also use a sprig of thyme to pair with orange, pears, peach, or if we are making a non-fruit variation.

ice. Crushed ice is best to make this fruity refreshment! You can also use ice cubes if that’s what you have on hand.

sparkling wine. We like to use prosecco or champagne for this cocktail. If you like a sweeter drink, use prosecco.

this recipe’s must-haves

You will need a jigger to measure out ingredients for this cocktail.

We like to use large wine glasses or Aperol spritz glasses for the recipe. You will also need a cocktail stirring spoon to stir the drink together.

here’s how to make a lillet spritz

assemble in the glass

Divide the Lillet Blanc or Rosé between two glasses. Add lemon juice and divide the strawberry slices (if using) evenly between them.

stir

Top with about 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup of crushed ice. Stir gently and top with prosecco or champagne. Garnish with mint sprig or thyme sprig. Serve.

More bubbly cocktail recipes to sip on: Champagne Sangria | Elderflower Sparkler | Strawberry Mimosa | Strawberry Champagne Cocktail

can I use something else instead of sparkling wine?

Yes, you can use either club soda (soda water) or tonic water instead of sparkling wine if you prefer a cocktail with a lower ABV.

what kinds of fruit can I use in this drink?

You can use so many different fruits for this cocktail! Strawberries, like you see here, are our personal favorite. You can also use raspberries, blackberries, apple, orange, pear, peach, and lemon.

what is the difference between Lillet Blanc, Rose, and Rouge?

Each of these three types of Lillet is unique in its own way. Lillet Blanc is made with white grapes and it is the brightest in flavor with more acid to it. Rouge is made with red grapes, and Rosé is a combination of both white and red grapes. Both Lillet rouge and rosé have more flavors of berries in them.

does Lillet need to be refrigerated when opened?

Yes, Lillet is like wine, so it should be refrigerated after opening it. Once opened, store Lillet in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Need some inspiration for happy hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with a lillet spritz cocktail

Since Lillet has a crisp, light finish, pair it with some brighter, lighter flavors! This could be anything from light salads to chicken dishes, vegetable-packed pastas to fruits and berries.

For a salad, nothing beats a bright watermelon feta salad for a last-minute recipe that’s juicy and creamy at the same time.

Fire up the grill to make this grilled full chicken to serve with all of your favorite side dishes.

For vegetarian options, a farmers market pasta or brown butter vegetable fettuccine are easy recipes to make with your favorite seasonal veggies.

more spritz-inspired cocktails

The classic Aperol spritz combines the bittersweet aperitif with bubbly prosecco for a very refreshing drink!

A bright limoncello spritz is tangy and refreshing, with just three ingredients.

Finally, if you make this lillet spritz recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

Want to know when I come out with a new recipe or the latest news? Sign up for my newsletter!