Lillet Spritz
A light, elegant French aperitif that blends floral Lillet Blanc with a whisper of Prosecco and sparkling water for a low-ABV spritz. Bright citrus and a fresh herb garnish make it a refreshing pre-dinner sipper for warm evenings and casual gatherings.
Ingredient Spotlight
Lillet Blanc (chilled)
Lillet Blanc is a French aromatized, lightly fortified wine (apéritif) from the Bordeaux region made by blending white wines with macerated citrus peels, spices, and a touch of sweetness. It smells floral and citrusy and tastes honeyed with bright orange notes and a mild bitter finish, commonly served chilled on its own or in cocktails. You can find it in well-stocked liquor stores and many wine sections of supermarkets; a good substitute is Cocchi Americano, or use dry vermouth plus a splash of orange liqueur (Cointreau/Triple Sec) or a few drops of orange bitters to approximate its profile.
Jake Woods's note
"This Lillet Spritz is perfect for relaxed aperitif hours or weekend brunch — it feels festive while staying light. Home hosts will love how easy it is to scale and how little hands-on time it requires."
About This Recipe
The Lillet Spritz is a deliberately light, quietly sophisticated aperitif that reads like summer in a glass: floral Lillet Blanc provides a honeyed, slightly bitter backbone, Prosecco brings lift and perfume, and soda water keeps the whole thing refreshingly easy-drinking. This version leans into balance rather than bigness—2 ounces of Lillet per serving gives you clear aromatics of orange blossom, chamomile and quinine without tipping into heavy bitterness, while a whisper of sparkling wine adds the celebratory fizz most guests expect from a spritz.
What makes this recipe work is its attention to temperature, dilution and aroma. Chill everything well, use large ice to slow dilution, and express an orange peel over each glass to distribute essential oils across the surface; the mint is optional but useful when you want an herbaceous lift. It’s a great choice for hosts who want a low-ABV alternative to cocktails, for people easing back on alcohol, or for anyone who values a light, palate-opening drink before a meal. The formula is forgiving and invites small adjustments—more soda for a gentler sip, a touch of syrup if you prefer softness, or a different citrus for seasonal character.
Ingredients for Lillet Spritz
- 8 fl oz Lillet Blanc (chilled)
- 4 fl oz Prosecco or dry sparkling wine (chilled)
- 8 fl oz Soda water (chilled)
- 8 cubes Ice cubes
- 1 medium Orange (for wheels and a peel twist)
- 4 sprigs Fresh mint sprigs (optional, for aroma)
- 1 oz Simple syrup (optional, to taste)
How to Make Lillet Spritz
Step 1: Prepare and chill
Set out four wine or large stemmed glasses and fill each generously with ice cubes so the spritz stays cold without over-dilution. If your Lillet and sparkling are not well chilled, place bottles in the refrigerator or an ice bucket for 10–15 minutes before serving.For this step
- 8 cubesIce cubes
Step 2: Build the spritz
Divide the Lillet Blanc evenly among the four glasses (about 2 fl oz / 60 ml per glass). If using simple syrup, add a small splash to each glass, then pour the Prosecco gently followed by the chilled soda water to preserve bubbles; stir once very gently to combine.For this step
- 8 fl ozLillet Blanc (chilled)
- 4 fl ozProsecco or dry sparkling wine (chilled)
- 8 fl ozSoda water (chilled)
- 1 ozSimple syrup (optional, to taste)
Step 3: Garnish with citrus and herbs
Cut the orange into wheels and a couple of long peels. Add a wheel to each glass and finish with an orange peel twist expressed over the drink; tuck a fresh mint sprig into each glass for aroma if desired.For this step
- 1 mediumOrange (for wheels and a peel twist)
- 4 sprigsFresh mint sprigs (optional, for aroma)
Step 4: Serve and enjoy
Serve immediately while effervescent and cold, and encourage guests to sip slowly as an aperitif. Taste and adjust sweetness for future batches — increase soda for a lighter drink or a touch more Lillet for a bolder, slightly higher-ABV profile.
- Set out four wine or large stemmed glasses and fill each generously with ice cubes so the spritz stays cold without over-dilution. If your Lillet and sparkling are not well chilled, place bottles in the refrigerator or an ice bucket for 10–15 minutes before serving.
- Divide the Lillet Blanc evenly among the four glasses (about 2 fl oz / 60 ml per glass). If using simple syrup, add a small splash to each glass, then pour the Prosecco gently followed by the chilled soda water to preserve bubbles; stir once very gently to combine.
- Cut the orange into wheels and a couple of long peels. Add a wheel to each glass and finish with an orange peel twist expressed over the drink; tuck a fresh mint sprig into each glass for aroma if desired.
- Serve immediately while effervescent and cold, and encourage guests to sip slowly as an aperitif. Taste and adjust sweetness for future batches — increase soda for a lighter drink or a touch more Lillet for a bolder, slightly higher-ABV profile.
Lillet Spritz Tips
Chill all components
Cold Lillet, Prosecco and soda keep the spritz bright and reduce the need for excessive ice, which prevents over-dilution as you sip.
Build gently in glass
Pour Lillet first, then add Prosecco and soda slowly so bubbles aren’t beaten out; stir only once, very gently, to combine.
Use large ice cubes
Big cubes melt more slowly than crushed ice, preserving temperature while minimizing watery dilution over the course of an aperitif.
Express orange oils
Twist the orange peel above the drink to spray essential oils onto the surface, then rub the rim before dropping it into the glass for immediate aroma.
Adjust sweetness sparingly
Add simple syrup in small increments—0.25 oz per glass—because Lillet already has gentle sugar; it’s easier to add than remove.
Lillet Spritz Variations and Substitutions
Non-alcoholic Spritz
Replace Lillet with a non-alcoholic aperitif (such as a white-wine-style non-alc blend or a bitter citrus cordial) and use alcohol-free sparkling wine or premium soda water with a splash of elderflower cordial for floral sweetness.
Citrus-Forward Version
Swap the orange wheel for a thin slice of pink grapefruit and a grapefruit twist to introduce lively grapefruit bitterness and lift the perfume.
Herbal Provence Twist
Muddle a sprig of thyme or rosemary lightly in the glass before adding ice and Lillet for an earthy, savory undercurrent that pairs beautifully with grilled appetizers.
Bolder Spritz
Use 3 ounces of Lillet and cut the soda to 1.5 ounces per serving to make a richer, slightly higher-ABV version that still retains spritz brightness.
How to Store and Make Lillet Spritz Ahead
The finished spritz is best enjoyed immediately; the Prosecco and soda will lose effervescence quickly and the ice will dilute the drink. For make-ahead convenience, chill all components separately and store the Lillet and Prosecco in the fridge up to 48 hours, keep soda water cold, and pre-slice citrus in an airtight container for up to one day. If you have leftovers without ice, refrigerate in a sealed bottle and consume within a few hours for best flavor.
What to Serve With Lillet Spritz
Serve the Lillet Spritz with light, salty nibbles that complement its citrus and floral notes—Marcona almonds, green olives, or a plate of soft goat cheese with honey and thyme work especially well. For a more substantial pairing, offer smoked salmon canapés, fresh shrimp with lemon, or a simple summer tomato and burrata salad to keep the mood breezy and pre-dinner focused.
Lillet Spritz FAQs
Can I use Lillet Rouge or Rosé instead of Lillet Blanc?
Yes—Lillet Rosé brings brighter red-fruit notes and a slightly bolder aroma, while Lillet Rouge adds richer, spiced flavors; reduce the soda slightly to preserve balance if you use the richer styles.
What are single-serving measurements?
For one glass, use 2 fl oz (60 ml) Lillet Blanc, 1 fl oz (30 ml) Prosecco, and 2 fl oz (60 ml) soda water over ice, plus an orange wheel and optional mint; adjust simple syrup in 0.25 oz increments to taste.
How can I keep the drink fizzy longer?
Keep all components well chilled, use fresh Prosecco, pour sparkling wine last and gently, and avoid vigorous stirring; large ice cubes also slow dilution so bubbles and flavor persist longer.
Is there a good Prosecco or sparkling substitute?
A dry Prosecco DOC or a brut Cava are both excellent; avoid heavily sweet sparkling wines (like some Asti styles) which will push the spritz cloyingly sweet.
Can I make a low-alcohol version?
Yes—reduce the Lillet to 1.5 oz and increase soda to taste, or substitute part of the Lillet with chilled soda water or a non-alcoholic aperitif base to keep the flavor profile while lowering ABV.
About the author
Jake WoodsHello, I'm Jake. I started this recipe site with the idea that I hated recipe websites that overwhelm you with long stories and ads just to see plain content that's not helpful. My goal is to provide you with quality recipes, simple ideas and a fun cooking experience. There's lots of fun things to cook, and I think as you browse the site you'll find that TopShelf.Recipes is the place for quality recipes on the web.
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Nutrition Facts
Per serving: about 7 fl oz
Nutrition values are estimated from USDA ingredient data and may vary based on preparation, brands, and portion sizes. Values are provided for informational purposes only.
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