The story behind Lillet
Lillet comes from Podensac, a small town in the Gironde just south of Bordeaux. The house was founded in 1872 by Paul and Raymond Lillet, merchants and distillers, and it has stayed in that corner of France ever since. The recipe is Bordeaux wine, mostly Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, fortified with fruit liqueurs built around orange peel, then rested in oak casks.
The old Kina Lillet style was reformulated in 1986 and sold today as Lillet Blanc. That is the bottle James Bond made famous in the Vesper, and it is the one we have poured for customers on this counter for three decades. Same family of flavors, three colors, one very French idea: chill it hard and drink it before dinner.
Explore the Lillet range
Three expressions, all built on the same fortified Bordeaux base. Blanc is the classic, Rose brings red fruit, Red goes deeper into berry territory.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lillet Blanc 750mL | Aperitif wine | 34 | Classic citrus and orange peel, honeyed, faint quinine bite |
| Lillet Rose 750mL | Aperitif wine | 34 | Red berries and grapefruit, softer finish, summer pours |
| Lillet Red 750mL | Aperitif wine | 34 | Red wine base, dark berry and spice, fuller body |
| Lillet Blanc 750mL | Vesper cocktail base | 34 | Gin, vodka and a lemon twist, served ice cold |
| Lillet Rose 750mL | Spritz base | 34 | Sparkling water and citrus, low effort, high reward |
| Lillet Red 750mL | Chilled over ice | 34 | Orange slice, dark fruit, good with a cheese board |
Which Lillet is right for you?
All three Lillet expressions sit at $21.99 for a 750mL bottle, which is fair money for a fortified Bordeaux aperitif you will actually finish. Blanc, Rose and Red are priced the same, so build your shelf around the one you drink fastest and add the others for cocktails. Stock moves, so call the Commack store at (631) 343-7200 before you drive over, or check availability online first. Buy Lillet online and we will have it waiting at the counter.
The Bond cocktail needs it, and nothing else substitutes cleanly.
Red fruit and grapefruit make an easy, low-proof spritz for a crowd.
Fuller berry notes stand up to aged gouda and cured meat.