Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha (2024)

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Made with only three ingredients, this Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail is the perfect combination of bitter and sweet.

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha (1)

(This Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail recipe was originally published in March 2012, but has been updated with new photos and content in 2020).

If I could only drink one co*cktail for the rest of my life, it would probably be grapefruit-based. Not only is grapefruit one of my very favorite foods (for real!), but the juice pairs so well with so many types of alcohol.

This co*cktail is a simple one and requires just three ingredients:

  • Grapefruit juice (I like to use fresh-squeezed, but you can certainly use store-bought in a pinch)
  • Lillet blanc (see more on this below!)
  • Vodka (if you're like me, you always have a large bottle of vodka on hand)

This deliciously simple co*cktail was inspired by a drink from Frank Stitt at Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham, Alabama. A place I've never in my life been. But I spotted the recipe on Serious Eats and was immediately attracted to it given the grapefruit juice and the fact it's called The Great Gatsby. Which, you should know, is one of my top 3 favorite books of all time.

When I first made this grapefruit Lillet co*cktail back in 2012, I purchased a bottle of Lillet Blanc especially for it. And it quickly became one of the most welcome libations on my bar. Have you enjoyed it before?

What is Lillet Blanc?

If you are unfamiliar with Lillet, I'm happy to share a little bit more with you! It's an aperitif from the Bordeaux region of France that's in the same family as vermouth. Lillet contains wine, orange peel, and quinine, which is what gives it the bitter kick.

There are several different varieties of Lillet and we use Blanc here, which is a little bit sweeter and a little bit less bitter than other types.

While you can add Lillet Blanc to co*cktails, it's also said to be quite delightful over ice with a little orange slice. My particular bottle says it's perfect for "those special times when day turns to evening and evening turns to night!" I think that means you're out partying and enjoying your beverages so much that you don't realize the day is flying by? I'll take it.

Also, the bottle makes me happy.

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha (2)

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe

So, yes. This co*cktail is definitely a bit bitter thanks to the combination of grapefruit and Lillet. I love bitter and this is so up my alley, but definitely keep this in mind if you're not a fan.

To make the co*cktail, start by juicing the grapefruit. Note that the color of the grapefruit Lillet co*cktail will depend a lot on the color of your grapefruit. My grapefruits were a beautiful bold pink color and when mixed with the orange-y Lillet, my drink ended up a gorgeous shade. However, the first time I made this, my grapefruit were more of a light yellow and the drink was definitely much paler in color. I recommend using ruby red grapefruit for the best color.

Fill a co*cktail shaker halfway with ice and add grapefruit juice, vodka, and Lillet Blanc. Shake it up and pour into a coup glass (or other small glass). The original recipe recommends garnishing with orange peel (for a little more citrus zestiness), but I opted for a sprig of thyme instead.

And a little tiny grapefruit wedge.

Oh, and I should also mention that I rimmed the co*cktail glasses in a little coarse sugar. The sugar helps cut the bitterness of the drink a bit. You don't have to do this, but any time I have an option to sugar a rim, I'm in!

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha (3)

From the first time I made this grapefruit Lillet co*cktail, it quickly became one of my very favorite drinks. Even Chris said it was one of the best I've ever made (he loves grapefruit, too!).

I'm not typically a white wine fan, which is why I think I like the fact that the Lillet is added to a co*cktail (with vodka!), but I'm actually excited to sit down with a glass of Lillet Blanc on the rocks just to see how I like it. I do love me a good bitter sipper.

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha (4)

And I totally get why the restaurant named this Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail the Great Gatsby. As Frank Stitt told Serious Eats, "...it makes you feel on top of the world, kind of like Gatsby." Agreed.

Next up, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to make Chris James Bond's Vesper with the Lillet. It's a martini consisting of gin, vodka, and lillet. Sounds a little intense to me, but if James Bond can handle it…

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha (5)

Nevermind. I should probably stick to lillet on the rocks or mixed with grapefruit juice and vodka.

Do you enjoy grapefruit co*cktails?

If the answer is yes, you need to try my Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas and my Grapefruit Maple Derbys. I also really want to make this Ginger Grapefruit Kombucha from Brew Buch!

📖 Recipe

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha (6)

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail

Made with only three ingredients, this Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail is the perfect combination of bitter and sweet and makes for a refreshing co*cktail any time of year.

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Course: Drink

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Grapefruit co*cktails, Grapefruit Drinks, Vodka co*cktail Recipes

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Makes: 1 co*cktail

Author: Sues

Ingredients

  • Coarse sugar, for rim (optional)
  • 1 oz. vodka
  • 1 oz. lillet blanc
  • 2 ½ oz. fresh squeezed grapefruit juice (ruby red preferred)
  • Rosemary, for garnish (optional)
  • Sprig of thyme or orange peel, for garnish

Instructions

  • If you want a sugared rim, place coarse sugar on a small plate and moisten rim of coup glass (or other small co*cktail glass) with a little grapefruit juice. Place glass upside-down on plate to coat rim in sugar.

  • Fill a co*cktail shaker halfway with ice and add grapefruit juice, vodka, and Lillet Blanc.

  • Shake well and pour into prepared glass.

  • Garnish co*cktail with small grapefruit wedge and a sprig of thyme or orange peel.

Notes

  • co*cktail recipe adapted from Highlands Bar and Grill via Serious Eats.
  • Note: the color of the co*cktail will depend a lot on the color of your grapefruit. Use ruby red grapefruit if you want a pinker looking drink rather than a yellow drink.
  • If you're in a rush or don't have access to fresh grapefruit, you can use store-bought juice instead.

Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

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Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha (2024)

FAQs

Grapefruit Lillet co*cktail Recipe | We are not Martha? ›

Easy: The Vesper

Instructions: In a mixing glass with ice, stir together an ounce of Lillet, an ounce of gin (we like Tanqueray Ten here), and an ounce of vodka, with a dash of orange bitters.

How do you use Lillet in a co*cktail? ›

Easy: The Vesper

Instructions: In a mixing glass with ice, stir together an ounce of Lillet, an ounce of gin (we like Tanqueray Ten here), and an ounce of vodka, with a dash of orange bitters.

How do French people drink Lillet? ›

To make a Lillet Tonic, simply fill a Collins glass with ice, pour in one part Lillet and top with two parts tonic. Garnish with a wedge of lemon or grapefruit.

Should Lillet be served before or after dinner? ›

Today, the most popular way to take Lillet is well-chilled or over ice with a twist of lemon, ideally in the hour-or-so before dinner is served. The light acidity and whisper of bitterness make it an ideal way to raise your spirits and whet your appetite as afternoon turns into evening.

Can you drink Lillet neat? ›

When sipped solo, it's best served chilled, and is often consumed neat or on the rocks with an orange slice. You can also combine equal parts Lillet Blanc and soda water to make a simple Lillet Spritz, or use tonic water to help recreate some of the original recipe's more prominent quinine notes.

What mixes well with Lillet? ›

7 co*cktails to Make with Lillet
  • Vesper. James Bond's original co*cktail of choice is made with gin, vodka and Lillet.
  • Golden Lillet Martini. ...
  • Tabernacle Crush. ...
  • Sweet Basil. ...
  • The Seville. ...
  • Creole Resolution. ...
  • Dirty Blonde.
Nov 30, 2022

Does Lillet need to be refrigerated? ›

Store your Lillet in the fridge! “Much like vermouth, Lillet begins to slowly degrade as soon as it's opened,” says Hansen. “Tightly closed and stored in the fridge it should, like most products in the 15 to 20% ABV range, last three to four weeks (but you can always taste-test as it goes!).”

What kind of alcohol is in Lillet? ›

For the uninitiated, Lillet (pronounced lee-LAY) is a French aromatized aperitif wine made with a blend of Bordeaux grapes and fortified with a blend of citrus liqueurs.

What does Lillet mean in French? ›

Lillet (French pronunciation: [li. lɛ]) is a French wine–based aperitif from Podensac.

How long does a bottle of Lillet last? ›

French Lillet is a smoother floral, citrusy aperitif that you can drink on its own or in a Bond-approved Vesper martini. Lillet Rouge (red) will last the longest—up to a month refrigerated—while the Blanc and Rosé styles will only go for a few weeks in the fridge.

What fruit is in Lillet? ›

Lillet Blanc: Our Original & Iconic Aperitif | Lillet US. Sémillon and sauvignon blanc wines from the Bordeaux region are blended with macerations of sweet and bitter orange, cinchona bark, and additional botanicals selected for their aromatic qualities before aging in oak casks.

Is Lillet good for Negroni? ›

If you love a Negroni but are after something a little less robust than Sweet Vermouth, then give a Lillet Negroni a try. With Gin, Campari & Lillet Rose, this is the perfect summertime variation on the classic.

Can I use vermouth instead of Lillet? ›

Yes, you can substitute dry vermouth for Lillet as a flavorful aperitif or in co*cktails. Vermouth contains less sugar so you might want to add some sugar syrup when using it.

Is Lillet like Aperol? ›

Although this aperitif is French instead of Italian, Lillet also makes an excellent, complex Spritz. It isn't as extremely flavored as Aperol (existing somewhere in the middle of bitter and sweet), but it comes in Blanc (white), Rosé, and Rouge (red) options, so you have even more customization potential.

What is a Lillet spritz? ›

The Lillet Spritz is a light and refreshing co*cktail that combines Lillet Blanc, prosecco, and club soda. We garnish ours with some fresh basil and cucumber slices for added summertime flavor. This spritz is easy to make and easy to sip!

Is Lillet like Dubonnet? ›

Dubonnet is similar to Lillet, and white Lillet was only white at first and Dubonnet solely red, both companies make both colors now. Dubonnet Blanc is similar to [ingredient=bianco-vermouth bianco vermouth]. It is both less sweet and less bitter than Dubonnet Rouge.

Can I use Lillet instead of vermouth? ›

Lillet Blanc is another aperitif that is used to enhance co*cktails. It's somewhat citrusy compared to dry vermouth but would be the best substitute if you happened to have it on hand. That said, if you don't have dry vermouth on hand, you probably don't have Lillet either. Craft co*cktails.

Can I use Lillet in a martini? ›

To be served in a martini glass, full of ice. Pour the Lillet Blanc, Beefeater Gin and Absolut Vodka into the shaker. Stir the ingredients well, allowing them to marry and chill - feel free to shake it up if you prefer, your co*cktail, your rules. Squeeze the lemon zest to extract the essence and pour into the glass.

Is Lillet the same as vermouth? ›

But while both Lillet and vermouth are based in wine and are fortified up to 19 percent alcohol, as Lillet's North American Brand Ambassador Nicole Cloutier explains, Lillet isn't a vermouth for two reasons: It contains liqueur, and doesn't contain wormwood.

Can you use Lillet as vermouth? ›

For a direct sweet vermouth substitute in a Negroni, Lillet or Sherry can be excellent options. If you want something heavier and more similar to sweet vermouth, choose a PX Sherry or Lillet Rouge.

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