Summertime and the living is lazy, or at least it should be. So when it comes to our favourite cocktails of the season, we not only crave something light and thirst-quenching, we also want it to take as little effort as possible, but maybe just a bit more effort than cracking open an RTD.
Enter the spritz. The Aperol spritz has been ubiquitous for more years than we like to count; last year, summer was all about the Hugo spritz, which is made with elderflower liqueur rather than Aperol.
This year, the spritz of the moment is the Lillet spritz, perhaps the easiest of them all.
Lillet Blanc is an aperitif, an aromatized wine similar to vermouth, but lighter and more refreshing. It’s a blend of wines and fruit infusions that’s been made according to a top-secret recipe for nearly 150 years in Bordeaux. It is delicious enjoyed simply over ice, in cocktails like the classic 20th Century or, of course, in a spritz.
To make the spritz: Simply combine equal amounts of Lillet and club soda in a wine glass filled with ice; garnish with an orange wheel, or to make it a “spa spritz,” slices of cucumber and/or lemon, lime and sprigs of mint. Repeat as needed.
For more Lillet recipes, visit lillet.com.
This classic cocktail dates back to 1937 and is named not for the time period, but for the stylish 20th Century Limited train from New York to Chicago. It’s a perfect example of how an aperitif (Lillet) and a liqueur (crème de cacao) can combine to lift a cocktail above the ordinary.