Lillet Blanc is a classic French aperitif from Podensac, near Bordeaux, first created in 1887. Fresh, light and citrus‑led, it is made from Bordeaux white wines blended with fruit infusions and quinine, then aged in oak casks for added depth. An essential cocktail ingredient for a Vesper Martini, Lillet Blanc also works beautifully served chilled over ice or with a splash of tonic or sparkling wine. Buy now at Fareham Wine Cellar.
Produced by Maison Lillet, Lillet Blanc was originally known as Kina Lillet, named for the quinine it contained—a bitter extract used historically to help treat malaria. Over the years, the recipe has been refined, and today Lillet Blanc is a blend of white Bordeaux wine, citrus liqueurs, and a small amount of quinine, giving it a crisp, gently aromatic bitterness that sets it apart from standard fortified wines.
It is made from a base of white Bordeaux wines – 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Muscadelle – which are fortified with French brandy. The wine is macerated with fruit, which includes the peel of sweet oranges from Spain and Morocco and the peel of bitter green oranges from Hiati. It also contains a liqueur made from the Cinchona bark from Peru, and also contains quinine. It is aged in oak casks before bottling.
Technically, it is not a Vermouth as it contains liqueur and does not contain any Wormwood and Lillet Blanc should be categorised as an aromatised Tonic wine. There are also red and rosé versions.
Lillet Blanc gained worldwide fame through its role in the James Bond story. It features in Ian Fleming’s novel Casino Royale and in the 2006 film adaptation, where Bond orders a “Vesper Martini” made with gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc. The drink is named after Bond’s love interest, Vesper Lynd, and Bond’s precise instructions in the Fleming novel, Casino Royale are:
“A dry martini,” he said. “One. In a deep champagne goblet.” “Oui, Monsieur.” “Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel. Got it?” “Certainly, monsieur.” The barman seemed pleased with the idea.
9cl Gin
3cl Vodka
1.5cl Lillet Blanc
Shake extremely well until ice‑cold, then garnish with a thin twist of lemon peel.
As both a sophisticated aperitif and a signature cocktail ingredient, Lillet Blanc remains a stylish choice for fans of classic drinks and modern mixology alike.
Lillet Blanc features notes of candied orange, honey, pine and lime.
Lillet is an aperitif wine best enjoyed well chilled, ideally at 6–8 °C. In France, it’s commonly served over ice with a slice of orange or a twist of lemon or lime peel.
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Lillet Blanc is often enjoyed as a “Lillet Vive” — a refreshing long drink made with 5 cl Lillet Blanc, 10 cl tonic water, a slice of cucumber, a strawberry and a few fresh mint leaves.
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