10 Best Lillet Blanc Substitutes: Sip with Style

White vermouth is a great substitute for Lillet Blanc in many cocktails and recipes. They actually both share similar flavor profiles, so making the transition is fairly seamless. Did you know that White Vermouth has an ABV of between 15% to 18%?

White vermouth, such as Noilly Prat or Dolin Blanc, is dry and fortified, just like Lillet Blanc. It has herbal and slightly sweet notes that will complement a wide range of drinks. You can use it in classic cocktails like the Corpse Reviver #2 or also the Vesper Martini. It will provide that herbal complexity and also add a touch of sweetness, similar to Lillet Blanc.

When using white vermouth as a substitute, keep in mind that it may be slightly drier, so you might want to adjust the sweetness level in your recipe if needed. Feel free to experiment to find the perfect balance for your taste.

White vermouth is a versatile ingredient that can step in admirably for Lillet Blanc, so go on, give it a go.

St-Germain is a delicious elderflower liqueur that can add a unique twist when used as a substitute for Lillet Blanc in some cocktails and recipes. While it’s not an exact match in terms of flavor, it can offer a lovely floral and sweet complexity.

Try using St-Germain in cocktails that call for Lillet Blanc, especially those with floral or fruity elements. For instance, in a Corpse Reviver #2, it can add a fragrant and sweet dimension. Just be aware that St-Germain is sweeter than Lillet Blanc, so you may need to adjust the sweetness in your recipe to taste.

It works really well in sangrias or spritz-style drinks, as it can bring a lovely floral note to the mix. Combine it with white wine, sparkling water, and fresh fruit for a refreshing alternative.

If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option, you can create a delightful mocktail by mixing St-Germain with sparkling water and a touch of citrus. It can mimic the aromatic qualities of Lillet Blanc without the alcohol content.

While St-Germain may not perfectly replicate the Lillet Blanc taste, it adds its own unique character to drinks and can be an exciting substitution.

Salers Aperitif can be an intriguing substitute for Lillet Blanc, especially if you’re looking to add a unique twist to your cocktails and recipes. It is a gentian-based aperitif with an ABV of around 16%. It is known for its bitter taste and also its herbal profile, so it will bring a different dimension to your creations.

In cocktails that traditionally call for Lillet Blanc, such as the Corpse Reviver #2 or the Vesper Martini, using Salers Aperitif can introduce a pleasant bitterness and herbal complexity. It’s a great choice if you enjoy more bitter flavors. You can serve Salers Aperitif neat or over ice as an aperitif on its own.

Experiment with using Salers Aperitif in recipes that specifically benefit from its herbal and bitter notes. For instance, it can add depth to herbaceous and savory dishes.

Remember that Salers Aperitif has a different flavor profile than Lillet Blanc, so the result will be a departure from the original, but that’s where the creativity comes in.

Angostura Orange Bitters can add a unique twist to cocktails and recipes as a substitute for Lillet Blanc. Most bitters have a high alcohol by volume and Angostura Orang Bitters usually ranges from 45% to 50% ABV, which is equivalent to 90 to 100 proof. These bitters are used in cocktails to add a burst of citrusy and aromatic flavor and aroma, but it’s important to note that because they have a high alcohol content, they are used in very small quantities in cocktails to provide their unique flavor without significantly increasing the alcoholic strength of the drink.

Angostura Orange Bitters can be a delightful addition to cocktails that typically feature Lillet Blanc. It can provide a burst of orange flavor and aromatic complexity. Consider using it in drinks like a Negroni or a Martinez cocktail.

You can also experiment with creating a modified aperitif by combining white wine or dry vermouth with a few dashes of Angostura Orange Bitters. This will give your drinks a citrusy and aromatic quality similar to Lillet Blanc.

Or try using Angostura Orange Bitters to enhance the flavor profile of recipes. It can be a subtle yet distinctive way to introduce orange and aromatic notes into various dishes and desserts.

While Angostura Orange Bitters won’t replicate Lillet Blanc’s sweetness and wine base, it can be a versatile and creative substitute that adds a unique flair to your culinary creations.

Amaro Averna is a complex and bittersweet herbal liqueur, and while it’s quite different from Lillet Blanc, it can still be used as a creative substitute in certain cocktails and recipes.

It typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 29% to 32%, which is equivalent to approximately 58 to 64 proof. This amaro is known for its bittersweet and herbal flavor profile, and it’s often enjoyed as a digestif on its own or used as an ingredient in cocktails. The moderate alcohol content in Amaro Averna allows it to be sipped neat or used in various mixed drinks to add depth and complexity to the flavor.

In cocktails that usually feature Lillet Blanc, consider incorporating Amaro Averna for a unique and complex flavor. It can bring a delightful bittersweet and herbal quality to your drinks. Try it in a variation of a Negroni or a Manhattan for a twist.

If you’re making sangria or punch, Amaro Averna can be a bold addition. Its rich and herbal notes can complement the fruit and other ingredients, offering a distinct character to your beverage.

Or why not get creative in the kitchen by using Amaro Averna in dessert recipes. It can be a unique flavor enhancer for dishes like chocolate-based desserts, ice creams, or even fruit salads.

It’s important to note that Amaro Averna is notably different from Lillet Blanc in taste, so the results will be quite distinct. However, this can be an opportunity for you to explore new and exciting flavor combinations.

Using white grape juice as a substitute for Lillet Blanc is a great choice if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option or if you want to avoid the complexity of other alcoholic alternatives.

Why not try these cocktails?

• White Grape Spritz: Combine white grape juice with soda water and a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. Serve it over ice for a refreshing, non-alcoholic spritz.
• Lillet Blanc Mocktail: Create a Lillet Blanc-inspired mocktail by mixing white grape juice with a touch of lemon juice. You can also add a few dashes of orange bitters for complexity. Garnish with a citrus twist or a slice of fruit.

Other suggestions:

• White grape juice can be used in recipes that call for Lillet Blanc in cooking or baking as it adds a touch of sweetness and a also fruity undertone.
• Use white grape juice in dessert recipes like fruit salads, sorbets, and fruit-based sauces for a burst of grape flavor.
• For non-alcoholic sangrias or fruit punches, white grape juice is an ideal base. Combine it with fresh fruit slices, citrus juice, and soda water for a refreshing and family-friendly beverage.

Remember that white grape juice is naturally sweet so you will need to adjust the amount used to balance out the sweeteness levels. You may even need to balance it with some citrus juice to achieve the desired flavor. Using white grape juice as a substitute allows you to maintain the fruity and sweet characteristics of Lillet Blanc without the alcohol content.

Using herbal infusions as a substitute for Lillet Blanc can bring a unique twist to your cocktails and recipes.

• Choose herbs that complement the flavor profile of your recipe. Common options include chamomile, lemongrass, mint, thyme, or lavender. You can also get creative with your herbal combinations.
• You can even create your own herbal infusion by steeping your selected herbs in hot water, much like making herbal tea. The key is to achieve a concentrated herbal flavor, so steep the herbs for a longer duration, typically 15-30 minutes.
• After steeping, let the herbal infusion cool to room temperature. You can speed up this process by placing it in the refrigerator.

Try using in cocktails and mocktails

• In cocktails that originally call for Lillet Blanc, you can use your herbal infusion as a substitute. The herbal notes will add depth and complexity to your drinks.
• For example, a chamomile infusion can work well in recipes with floral and light herbal notes, while lemongrass can add a bright and zesty twist.
• Your herbal infusions can be utilized in non-alcoholic drinks too. Create herbal-infused water or sparkling water for refreshing mocktails. Add a touch of sweetener or citrus juice as needed.

If using in cooking and baking:

• Herbal infusions can also be used in cooking and baking. They can be incorporated into sauces, glazes, or also marinades to infuse your dishes with herbal flavors.

Using herbal infusions as a substitute for Lillet Blanc provides an opportunity to introduce a wide range of unique flavors to your recipes. It can add depth and complexity that goes beyond the original ingredient.

Using non-alcoholic aperitif alternatives as a substitute for Lillet Blanc can be a fantastic choice, especially if you want to maintain the aperitif experience without alcohol.

Select Non-Alcoholic Aperitifs:

• Look for non-alcoholic aperitif brands on the market, such as “Lyre’s” or “Stryyk,” which aim to replicate the experience of aperitif wines without the alcohol content. These products are designed to closely mimic the flavors and complexity of traditional aperitifs.

In Cocktails:

• Non-alcoholic aperitif alternatives can be used in cocktails just like Lillet Blanc. In recipes that originally call for Lillet Blanc, use the non-alcoholic version as a 1:1 substitute.
• For example, you can create a non-alcoholic version of a Vesper Martini or a Lillet Blanc-based cocktail, replacing the Lillet Blanc with the non-alcoholic aperitif alternative.
• Serve your non-alcoholic aperitif alternatives over ice or in chilled glasses with a citrus twist to enhance the aperitif experience.

Mocktails:

• Get creative with non-alcoholic aperitif alternatives by crafting unique mocktails. Combine them with non-alcoholic spirits, fresh juices, soda water, and also bitters to create a wide range of alcohol-free aperitif-style drinks.
• Taste your recipes as you go and make adjustments to the level of sweetness, acidity, and other flavor elements to ensure they match your preferences.

Pairing with Food:

• Consider pairing your non-alcoholic aperitif alternatives with appetizers and snacks just as you would with traditional aperitifs. They can complement a variety of dishes.

Using non-alcoholic aperitif alternatives allows you to create the aperitif experience without the alcohol, making it suitable for a broader audience.

Using soda water or tonic water as a substitute for Lillet Blanc can be a refreshing and straightforward choice, particularly when you want a non-alcoholic alternative.

In Cocktails:

• Soda Water: Replace Lillet Blanc with soda water in cocktails to maintain a refreshing and effervescent quality. Soda water works well in drinks that benefit from a lighter and bubbly character.
• Tonic Water: Tonic water can be a great substitute in cocktails that need a slightly bitter and herbal element. It pairs especially well with gin, creating a familiar profile in drinks like a Gin and Tonic.
• Serve your cocktails over ice to keep them cool. And why not add a slice of citrus (e.g., lemon or lime) to enhance the overall flavor.

Mocktails:

• Create mocktails by mixing soda water or tonic water with non-alcoholic flavorings. You can add a splash of citrus juice, a few dashes of bitters, and also some herbal infusions for complexity.

Non-Alcoholic Aperitif-Style Drinks:

• Experiment with non-alcoholic aperitif-style drinks by combining soda water or tonic water with non-alcoholic aperitif alternatives, citrus twists, and garnishes. This can provide a well-rounded aperitif experience without alcohol.

Pairing with Food:

• Offer soda water or tonic water as a palate-cleansing option to complement a variety of appetizers and snacks before a meal.

Balance Sweetness:

• Adjust the sweetness level in your cocktails or mocktails to taste. You may need to add a sweetening element like simple syrup or a non-alcoholic sweetener if your recipe originally relies on Lillet Blanc for sweetness.

Using soda water or tonic water as a substitute for Lillet Blanc is a versatile and alcohol-free option. It provides a clean and crisp backdrop for your drinks, allowing you to experiment with various flavorings and combinations.