This post may include affiliate links.
This easy Lillet cocktail is a gin and tonic made with Lillet Blanc that tastes crisp and bubbly. Here’s how to make it, plus more Lillet cocktails to try!
As a home cocktail expert, I’ll always remember the first time I tried Lillet Blanc: I couldn’t believe how refreshing it was! Here’s one of my favorite ways to turn it into a Lillet cocktail: as a Gin and Tonic!
The flavor is perfectly crisp, with floral and herbal notes from Lillet Blanc and the gin. Top that off with lots of bubbles, and you’ve got a refreshing cocktail that works not only for summer afternoons but evening happy hour in any season. This is one of my top ways to seem “fancy” without really trying!
What’s Lillet Blanc?
Lillet Blanc (pronounced Lee-LAY) is a new staple in my liquor cabinet. Lillet itself is a French aperitif: a fortified wine that’s flavored with herbs and citrus. There are are several types of Lillet made of different wines: Lillet Blanc, Lillet Rosé and Lillet Rouge.
- What it tastes like: The flavor of Lillet Blanc is light, with subtle floral and herbal notes. It’s similar to a dry white vermouth, with a more intriguing herbal flavor.
- Why you’ll love it: It has a light and refreshing flavor, and it’s very versatile. Use it to mix up this Lillet G&T on repeat, or other Lillet cocktails (see below).
- How to store it? You can keep a bottle of Lillet in your fridge for about 3 months.
How to Make a Lillet Cocktail
You need only three ingredients for this mashup of Lillet Blanc and the classic Gin and Tonic. The great thing about a G&T is that it’s ultra simple: you don’t even need to juice citrus or dirty a cocktail shaker. Here’s the method (or jump to the recipe for the exact instructions):
- Chill the glass. Fill a large wine glass with ice and stir for a few seconds. Then drain any melted water.
- Build the drink. Pour in 1 oz gin and 1 oz Lillet Blanc. Add a cucumber ribbon and a sprig of mint.
- Top with tonic. Add 4 ounces tonic water, pouring gently down a bar spoon or the side of the glass. Stir once and serve.
Pro tip: For the tonic water, I also use this method in my Best Gin and Tonic. When you’re adding the tonic water, pour it over a spoon into the drink. This is known to help preserve the bubbles to make the overall drink more effervescent.
Best Gin To Use
For this Lillet Cocktail: the better the gin, the better the drink! Some cocktails can cover over sub-par gin, but not here. The gin flavor will shine through. Here are some things to know about types of gin:
- Every bottle of gin tastes a little different and has different botanical flavors. Experiment to find your favorite!
- We like Malfy gin, so that’s what we used here.
- Steer away from Tanqueray gin: in our personal opinion, it gives a strong floral quality.
More Lillet Cocktails to Try
Vesper Martini
The Vesper is the most famous Lillet cocktail of all. Invented by James Bond, it’s become a true classic. It’s cool, crisp and herbal: an intriguing spin that’s shaken, not stirred! See my Vesper Martini recipe.
Corpse Reviver No. 2
One of my personal favorites! This one is sweet tart and made with gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and lemon juice, with a whisper of absinthe. It’s the answer if you’ve ever wondered what to make with Lillet and Cointreau. Get the Corpse Reviver recipe.
White Negroni
The White Negroni is a fun Negroni variation! The bright yellow color and light floral flavor come from Lillet Blanc and Suze. See my White Negroni recipe.
Lillet Spritz
Light and breezy, the Lillet spritz is the ideal summer drink! It’s bubbly and refreshing with lemon and soda water. See my Lillet Spritz recipe.
When To Serve This Lillet Cocktail
The Lillet G&T cocktail is bubbly and refreshing. It’s great for serving as a:
- An aperitif with marinated olives, spiced nuts, or a cheese board
- A signature cocktail for a dinner party or shower
- A summer patio drink that’s super refreshing
- A happy hour drink in any season
Lillet Substitutes
The best substitute for Lillet Blanc is Cocchi Americano, which is an Italian aperitif wine with a slightly more bitter edge. (Here are my favorite Cocchi Americano cocktails: I’m a big fan!)
In a pinch, a good dry white vermouth works. Aperol is not a good substitute (please do not try it!). It’s a bitter orange aperitif that tastes way sweeter and more bitter than Lillet.
Lillet G&T Cocktail
This easy Lillet cocktail is a gin and tonic made with Lillet Blanc that tastes crisp and bubbly. Here’s how to make it, plus more Lillet cocktails to try!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Poured
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) gin
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Lillet Blanc
- 4 ounces (½ cup) tonic water
- For the garnish: Fresh mint, cucumber (optional)
Instructions
- Add lots of ice to a large cocktail or wine glass and stir to chill the glass. Drain any melted water.
- Pour in the gin and Lillet Blanc. Add the garnishes.
- Gently pour the tonic water onto a bar spoon into the glass (to preserve the bubbles). Stir once and serve.
More gin cocktails
Gin is the star in so many of the great cocktails! Here are some great gin cocktails:
- Gin Fizz Super classic, this drink is sweet, tangy, and has a frothy egg white foam topping.
- Gin Gimlet A classic cocktail made of lime juice, simple syrup and gin. Totally refreshing!
- Tom Collins Light, bubbly, sweet tart, and just plain fun.
- Gin Gin Mule A gin-based spin on the Moscow mule.
- Red Snapper This is the gin-based version of a Bloody Mary.
- Clover Club Tangy and bright pink, with raspberry or grenadine, gin, and an egg white foam on top.
Pouring the tonic over a barspoon will actually knock CO2 out of the tonic meaning it goes flatter quicker.
Tilt the glass and pour gently to preserve the bubbles.
This is the cutest glass ever….please tell me where I can buy them!
Hi! We got them here: https://rstyle.me/+E60YQgRWdfDQ4gLmZI5BNQ