# 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. Canonical URL: https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/lillet-spritz ## Author Jake Woods https://www.topshelf.recipes/chef/jake-woods Published: June 25, 2026 Last Updated: September 3, 2026 ## 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. ## Recipe Information - Prep Time: 10 minutes - Total Time: 10 minutes - Servings: 3 - Difficulty: Easy - Category: Drinks ## Ingredients ### Build the spritz - 8 fl oz Lillet Blanc (chilled) - 4 fl oz Prosecco or dry sparkling wine (chilled) - 8 fl oz Soda water (chilled) - 1 oz Simple syrup (optional, to taste) ### Prepare and chill - 8 cubes Ice cubes ### Garnish with citrus and herbs - 1 medium Orange (for wheels and a peel twist) - 4 sprigs Fresh mint sprigs (optional, for aroma) ## Ingredient Guide ### 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. ## Instructions ### 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. ### 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. ### 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. ### 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. ## Nutrition Estimated nutrition per serving (about 7 fl oz): - Calories: 199 kcal - Protein: 2.9 g - Carbohydrates: 25.1 g - Fat: 0.2 g - Saturated Fat: 0 g - Trans Fat: 0 g - Fiber: 6.3 g - Sugar: 4.8 g - Added Sugars: 4.3 g - Cholesterol: 0 mg - Sodium: 95 mg - Potassium: 379 mg - Calcium: 135 mg - Iron: 1.8 mg - Vitamin D: 0 mcg ## 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. ## 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. ## Notes 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. ### Storage and Make-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. ### Serving Suggestions 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. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### 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. ## Related Recipes and Guides - [Watermelon Agua Fresca (Easy Blender Recipe)](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/watermelon-agua-fresca-easy-blender-recipe) - [Brown Butter Dalgona](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/brown-butter-dalgona) - [Mushroom Mocha Latte](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/mushroom-mocha-latte) - [Hibiscus Cold Brew Fizz](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/hibiscus-cold-brew-fizz) - [Boozy Red White Blue Popsicles (Vodka Ice Pops for Adults)](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/boozy-red-white-blue-popsicles-vodka-ice-pops-for-adults) - [Hibiscus Simple Syrup](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/hibiscus-simple-syrup) - [Trending Grillside Drinks for 2026: Cocktails, Low‑ABV Sippers, and Non‑Alcoholic Pairings to Elevate Backyard BBQ](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/trending-grillside-drinks-2026-cocktails-low-abv-non-alcoholic-pairings) - [Blue Drinks at Home: Natural Color Techniques + 10 Viral Blue Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/blue-drinks-natural-ingredients-10-viral-recipes) - [Gluten-Free Weeknight Grilling Plan](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/gluten-free-weeknight-grilling-plan)