Enjoy summery cocktails made with Lillet

<p>In summer, Lillet is not only a refreshing and easy-to-make aperitif. It's a romantic wine-based concoction with ties to the Bordeaux region of France, the invention of brothers Raymond and Paul Lillet in the late 1800s.</p><p>Lillet Blanc is made from sauvignon blanc and semillon grapes mixed with orange and lemon brandy. Quinine, the main ingredient in gin, is sometimes added. It can be served alone or over a few cubes of ice and a slice of orange. </p><p>Aged in oak barrels, it tastes of orange blossom and honey and makes a good base in an intriguing line-up of cocktails. Among them are James Bond's Vesper Martini, the drink Bond orders in “Casino Royale” with a wink to his Russian double agent love, Vesper Lynd.</p><p>As such, Lillet Blanc is an easy substitute for vermouth in many drinks, including martinis.</p><p>Lillet Rouge, made from cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes mixed with fruit brandy, tastes more of berries, spice and vanilla. It is aged in oak barrels, where it gets much of that sweetness and spice. Delicious on its own, it also benefits from a splash or two of soda water. </p><p>Local food and garden writer Georgeanne Brennan, who penned the book, “Aperitif,” recalls her first exposure to Lillet with wistfulness.</p><p>“My first taste of Lillet was in a 14th-floor apartment overlooking Gramercy Park in New York City, where a Russian-Hungarian friend served it to me along with toast spread with smoked whitefish from Zabar's delicatessen,” said Brennan. “Lillet's rounded, voluptuous taste is also perfect for pistachios.”</p><p>Sounds like a plan for every summer night.</p><p>Brennan also suggests serving Lillet well chilled but without ice, pouring three to four ounces into a wine glass or over ice in a short bistro glass. Stored in the refrigerator, a bottle of Lillet should keep fresh for about a week.</p><p>Corpse Reviver #2</p><p>Makes 1 serving</p><p>1 ounce Lillet Blanc</p><p>1 ounce Hendrick's Gin</p><p>1 ounce Bols triple sec</p><p>¾ ounce fresh lemon juice</p><p>¼ ounce simple syrup</p><p>2 dashes Pernod</p><p>Shake all ingredients and strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.</p><p>La Vendangeuse</p><p>Makes 1 serving</p><p>1½ ounces Lillet Blanc</p><p>2 ounces Hendrick's Gin</p><p>½ ounce fresh lemon juice</p><p>½ ounce simple syrup</p><p>8 green grapes, sliced in half</p><p>Shake all ingredients and strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a grape.</p><p>Le Printemps</p><p>Makes 1 serving</p><p>2 ounces Lillet Blanc</p><p>½ ounce fresh lime juice</p><p>½ ounce simple syrup</p><p>4 fresh mint leaves</p><p>3 slices cucumber</p><p>Muddle cucumber, lime and mint with the simple syrup. Add Lillet, shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cucumber slice and mint leaf.</p><p>Lillet Rouge Sangria</p><p>Makes 1 serving</p><p>3 ounces Lillet Rouge or Blanc</p><p>½ ounce fresh lime juice</p><p>— Lemon-lime soda</p><p>— Diced fresh fruit of choice (berries, apples, grapes, oranges, etc.)</p><p>Build cocktail over ice in a wine glass or Collins glass and stir to combine. Top with lemon-lime soda and garnish with an orange slice.</p><p>Lillet Royale</p><p>Makes 1 serving</p><p>3 ounces Lillet Blanc</p><p>½ ounce fresh lime juice</p><p>1 dash bitters</p><p>5 leaves fresh mint</p><p>— Ginger ale</p><p>Shake the first four ingredients with ice. Strain over ice into a long Collins or rocks glass. Top with ginger ale and garnish with a lime wheel.</p><p>Lilly Lillet</p><p>Makes 1 serving</p><p>1½ ounces tequila</p><p>1½ ounces apple juice</p><p>½ ounce Lillet Rouge</p><p>½ ounce Lillet Blanc</p><p>½ ounce agave nectar</p><p>1 squeeze fresh lime</p><p>Combine ingredients and shake well. Strain up and garnish with a blood orange half moon.</p><p>Negroni Spagliato?</p><p>Makes 1 serving</p><p>2 ounces Lillet Blanc?</p><p>1 ounce Campari?</p><p>3 ounces dry sparkling wine?</p><p>Add ingredients to a champagne flute and stir with a long bar spoon. Garnish with a long orange twist.</p><p>Vesper Martini</p><p>Makes 1 serving</p><p>2 ounces gin</p><p>¼ ounce Russian vodka</p><p>1/3 ounce Lillet Blanc</p><p>Shake the liquid ingredients vigorously with ice. Strain into a coupe or chilled cocktail glass. Twist the orange peel over the drink, and drop it in.</p><p>Virginie Boone is a freelance wine writer based in Sonoma County. She can be reached at virginieboone@yahoo.com.</p>