Lillet Blanc is a refreshing and elegant choice, perfect for relaxing afternoons, as an aperitif, or in a spritzer.
If you can’t locate this French fortified wine or want to try something new for your weekend cocktails, we have some excellent alternatives for you. This guide will assist you in selecting the ideal substitute that aligns with your preferences and drinking.
Let’s begin by exploring what Lillet Blanc is and the various reasons you might seek a substitute. This knowledge will assist you in selecting the best alternatives for any situation.
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What Is Lillet Blanc
The French aperitif originated in Podensac, a town in the Bordeaux area of France.
It is categorized as an aromatized wine, made from a combination of two varieties of white Bordeaux wines and infused liqueurs, along with several citrus fruits and botanicals.
This light yellow aperitif has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 17%, making it slightly stronger than most wines but less potent than spirits.
Basics of Aperitifs
Aperitifs and digestifs are alcoholic beverages served before or after meals, respectively. Aperitifs tend to be drier than sweet.
Lillet Blanc can be enjoyed neat on ice or used in spritzers and cocktails.
A spritz typically consists of three parts sparkling wine and two parts bitter liqueur, though a sweet liqueur or low-ABV spirit with soda can be used as well.
What Does Lillet Blanc Taste Like?
Lillet Blanc offers a subtle, fruity scent combined with a fresh, crisp flavor that is gently sweet. It also includes herbal undertones along with a touch of citrus.
13 Best Lillet Blanc Substitutes
Here are drinks that can replace Lillet Blanc.
Some are best enjoyed solo, while others work well in cocktails or mixes.
1. Amaro Angeleno
Amaro Angeleno is a great alternative to Lillet Blanc for cocktail making. It is crafted from Pinot Grigio, unaged brandy, and orange peel, infused with herbs like thyme, gentian, and verbena. Produced in Los Angeles, it offers a sweet-bitter taste with floral and orange notes.
The drink has an appealing golden hue and contains no artificial colors. Amaro Angeleno is refreshing and complements soda, Irish whiskey, bourbon, gin, and aged rums. It can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif or digestif.
2. Vermouth Bianco
Vermouth and Lillet Blanc share many similarities, making Lillet Blanc a good alternative for sipping or mixing in cocktails. It’s widely available and affordable.
Vermouth is a fortified wine infused with various herbs and spices, offering a citrus flavor with notes of star anise and allspice, and an ABV of 16% to 18%.
Different types of vermouth include dry white, sweet red, and sweet white vermouth. Check the ingredients to find a flavor that suits your needs.
Vermouth Bianco (or Vermouth Blanc) is a recommended option, as it sits between sweet and dry vermouth based on the brand or origin.
Vermouth features in classic cocktails like the Manhattan and Negroni, while dry white vermouth is used in a Classic Martini and Dirty Martini.
3. Swedish Punsch
Swedish Punsch is a liqueur that is well-liked in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and various other Nordic nations. This liqueur is typically crafted using Batavia Arrack, which is an Asian spirit produced from red rice and sugarcane, along with Jamaican rum, citrus fruits, and a blend of spices.
The flavor profile varies by brand, but Swedish Punsch generally offers a rich and intricate combination of sweet and spicy flavors. It can be enjoyed neat or as an ingredient in cocktails.
4. St. Germain
St. Germain, which originates from France, is crafted from elderflowers found in the French Alps. The fresh spring flowers are soaked, mixed with sugars, and then distilled.
This fragrant and floral French liqueur is commonly used in cocktails but can also be enjoyed as an aperitif.
Remember that St. Germain is sweeter, has a stronger floral taste, and is less fruity. It’s a good substitute in cocktails, but it’s best to begin with a smaller quantity to balance out the sweetness.
5. Kina L’Avion d’Or
Kina L’Avion d’Or is a good alternative to Lillet Blanc due to its similar yet more bitter taste. It contains white wine, cinchona bark, wormwood, and orange peel.
This French aperitif boasts a rich golden hue, a sweet-bitter flavor, and notes of marmalade and quince. It can be enjoyed neat over ice, mixed with soda or tonic, or used in cocktails such as Vesper, 20th Century, and Corpse Reviver #2.
6. Cocchi Americano
Cocchi Americano is a type of Italian aperitif wine. It features a subtle citrus flavor thanks to the addition of orange peel. The drink also contains moscato wine, quinine liqueur, cinchona bark, and various spices.
Keep in mind, Cocchi Americano has a somewhat bitter taste. If you appreciate a hint of bitterness, it can be enjoyed on its own or used as a replacement in cocktail recipes.
It’s typically easy to find and is priced similarly or slightly lower than other options.
7. Amaro Averna
Amaro Averna is a bittersweet herbal liqueur from Italy, typically served neat or on ice as a digestif, and used in cocktails like the Black Manhattan.
It features strong citrus notes with hints of caramel, anise, sage, myrtle, and juniper. It is best used in smaller amounts as a cocktail substitute.
While it differs in taste, color, and texture, the citrus flavor remains the same. Note that its ABV is 29%, much higher than Lillet’s.
8. Reserve Jean De Lillet
Reserve Jean De Lillet makes for an excellent alternative to Lillet Blanc; however, sourcing it can be tricky since it’s a limited edition.
This French aperitif combines wines with orange liqueur, various fruit liqueurs, and quinine, aged for a year in oak barrels. It boasts a vibrant orange-golden hue, a luxurious honey flavor, and a slightly bitter aftertaste. While it’s enjoyable straight, it also works well in cocktails.
9. Sweet White Vermouth
Sweet white vermouth is infused with flowers, fruits, barks, and roots, sweetened with honey or sugar, and strengthened with spirits like brandy. There are three varieties of white vermouth: Blanco, Blanc, and Bianco.
Mancino Bianco Ambrato Vermouth is a refreshing wine that can replace Lillet Blanc, offering a bittersweet, floral flavor.
It’s sweeter than Lillet Blanc, featuring flavors of quinine, sweet orange, licorice, and grapefruit.
Use it for cocktails as a substitute for Lillet Blanc, but be sure to use less and add orange bitters to match its taste more closely.
10. Salers Aperitif
Salers Aperitif has a history that goes back to 1885 and is a classic French wine typically enjoyed before meals. Its slightly bitter taste comes from the addition of gentian root, along with various herbs and spices mixed into a neutral spirit.
The flavor profile is primarily bitter-sweet and earthy, with notes of citrus peel, mint, and anise.
You can sip it on its own, served over ice with a slice of lemon. It also serves well as a base for cocktails. Just remember, it has a higher alcohol content, which can result in a drier and stronger drink.
11. Angostura Orange Bitters
Angostura orange bitters can replace orange zest in various beverages and dishes. These bitters are crafted from the skins of premium Caribbean oranges blended with a mix of regional herbs and spices.
Typically, Angostura orange bitters pairs well with spirits like gin, white rum, vodka, whisky, and other clear liquors.
Simply mix a little sweet white vermouth with a few drops of Angostura orange bitters to add a touch of bitterness and delightful flavor to your cocktail.
12. Dubonnet
Dubonnet is a type of sweet wine that has been fortified, meaning it has had extra alcohol added to it, and it contains a small dose of quinine, which gives it a slight bitter flavor. This wine is typically consumed as an aperitif, similar to how one might enjoy Lillet Blanc, though Dubonnet tends to have a bit more sweetness than Lillet.
The production of Dubonnet involves fermenting the wine with various herbs and spices, which contributes to its unique flavor profile. To halt the fermentation process and preserve the desired sweetness, alcohol is added.
Primarily, Dubonnet is produced in both France and the United States. The French variety has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 15%, while the American version has a higher ABV of 19%. It can be used as a substitute for Lillet Blanc in cocktail recipes or enjoyed straight as a standalone beverage.
13. Dry Sherry
Dry sherry is fully fermented, resulting in minimal residual sugar from the grape juice and a distinctly dry, crisp flavor profile.
Additionally, dry sherry features citrus notes along with nutty undertones. These qualities render it an excellent alternative to Lillet Blanc for both consumption and culinary use. Its alcohol by volume (ABV) ranges from 15% to 22%, so it is advisable to verify the specific brand for compatibility.
How To Choose The Right Substitute?
Lillet Blanc is a uniquely flavored aromatized wine that can be difficult to replace if you’re accustomed to its taste.
If you’re enjoying Lillet Blanc straight, there’s truly no adequate substitute.
However, for cocktails, you might try Amaro Angeleno, Reserve Jean De Lillet, Sweet white vermouth, or Cocchi Americano as alternatives.
When selecting a replacement for Lillet Blanc, aim for a beverage that offers a similar sweet-bitter profile and complements the other components of your cocktail well.
FAQs
Can I substitute Lillet Rose for Lillet Blanc?
This is like swapping rosé for semi-sweet white, which has a different color and is sweeter.
Lillet Rosé is similar to the Blanc but has added Lillet Rouge for color and red fruit flavors. It shares some floral notes from the Blanc base, but these may be less noticeable due to the extra ingredients.
If you prefer something more bitter, consider our alternative substitutes.
Is Lillet Blanc Sweet Or Dry?
It has a slightly sweet flavor with a hint of bitterness. It’s refreshing and light, with delicate citrus and herbal hints.
Can Lillet Blanc be used for cooking?
Lillet Blanc can be used instead of white wine in recipes. It’s excellent for desserts and for caramelizing onions and vegetables.
Final Tips
If you don’t have Lillet Blanc available, there are several alternatives you can use for your favorite cocktail.
Some substitutes may not taste exactly like Lillet Blanc but will introduce unique flavors you may enjoy.
We hope you discover a suitable replacement that enhances your drinks, making it hard to tell they’re not made with Lillet Blanc.
Let us know about the best substitute you’re using in the comments below.