Lillet-what to do with it?

[JohnE O]

I picked up a bottle of Lillet blanc and have it chilling. I can't say I've ever had it before so I'm asking what would be a nice use for it on a warm summer evening? Suggestions?

[johnbrowneyes]

I use Lillet Blanc in place of dry vermouth in a Gin Martini. I don't care for the taste of dry vermouth. With a dash orange bitters. Also, chilled on it's own is nice. And the Vesper is a fantastic cocktail before a good dinner: 3 oz Tanqueray gin, 1 oz Russian vodka, 1/2 oz Lillet Blanc. Shake and serve with lemon peel.

[TooLooseLaTrek]

Second the Corpse Reviver #2 rec. An excellent drink.One of my favorite light sippers is 1/2 Lillet Blanc and 1/2 Sweet vermouth with juice from 1/2 to a whole lime in a rocks glass.

[davis_sq_pro]

I do the same thing (I think it's called a Duplex if you're using dry + sweet vermouth), using Punt e Mes + Lillet 50:50, with a couple of dashes of orange bitters and a lemon twist, in a white wine glass (I keep my fortified wines in the fridge, so no chilling necessary). Really nice, light drink for the summer...

[dfan]

I enjoy Lillet just by itself as an aperitif, especially on a warm evening on the porch.

If I put it in a cocktail it is usually a 20th Century (1.5 oz gin, 0.5 oz Lillet, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.25 oz creme de cacao) or my own invention the Special Snowflake (2 oz gin, 0.5 oz Lillet, 0.5 oz St Germain).

[JohnE O]

Thanks. Tried the lillet and lime and it was nice and light. I also tried the Vesper. It tasted a little like a Collins. Thanks for the recs.

[tommy]

Corpse Reviver #2
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/20...

Nice on a warm summer's morning.

[MMRuth]

I really like it with a lime twist, and, occasionally, a splash of soda water.

[Caitlin McGrath]

Me too - lime and a bit of soda to cut the sweet.

[French Foodie]

Personally I find Lillet blanc drinks beautifully as an apertif on its own with a small orange slice garnish. Regarding cocktails, it makes a great Vesper with some minor modifications since the original Kina Lillet was a bit more bitter

1.5 oz gin
0.5 oz vodka (preferrably 100 proof)
0.25 oz Lillet blanc
1 Small dash of Angostura bitters or even better a small pinch of quinine (to more accurately replicate the bite of the original kina lillet.

Shake until ice cold, strain into a cocktail glass, and garnish with a long lemon twist. Do not use olives, it will ruin the subtelty of the drink.