Lillet Blanc is a French aperitif wine that is used in many classic cocktails.
It has a light, citrusy flavor that is perfect for summer drinks.
However, If you’re looking for a Lillet Blanc substitute, there are a few options that will work well in your cocktails.
Let’s find out right away what they are!
12 Substitutes For Lillet Blanc
Here are my top picks for substituting Lillet Blanc.
1. Kina L’Avion D’ Or
Similar to Lillet Blanc, Kina L’Avion d’Or is also a French aperitif known for its bitter-sweet and slightly sour taste and prominent floral essence.
When choosing Kina L’Avion d’Or over Lillet Blanc, it is important to remember that the former is slightly more bitter than the latter.
How to substitute
Since Lillet Blanc and Kina L’Avion d’Or do not have major differences in taste or texture, they can safely be substituted in equal amounts.
Try this vibrant cocktail with Kina L’Avion d’Or.
2. Cocchi Americana
This Italian aperitif wine makes a great substitute for Lillet Blanc with a shared flavor and ingredients such as orange peel, gentian root, cinchona bark, and other herbs.
It is to be noted that the addition of numerous herbs, roots, and spices makes the Cocchi Americana much bitter and has a complex mix of flavors.
How to substitute
An equal or slightly lesser quantity of Cocchi Americana can be used to substitute for the required quantity of Lillet Blanc for most cocktails.
Vesper martini with Cocchi Americana.
3. Sweet White Vermouth
Sweet White Vermouth is a bitter-sweet, fruity, and comparatively light alternative to Lillet Blanc. It is prepared from orange, grapefruit, licorice root, and more.
When choosing Sweet White Vermouth to replace Lillet Blanc, it is necessary to pair it well.
It tastes best with rum, scotch, and bourbon.
How to substitute
Lillet Blanc and Sweet White Vermouth can be substituted for one another in an equal 1:1 proportion for cocktails such as Negroni and Rob Roy.
Gin Sling with Sweet White Vermouth.
4. Amaro Angeleno
Amaro Angeleno is a product of Los Angeles and is known to be made with naturally ripe California oranges and some bitter floral roots, making it a bittersweet liqueur.
Remember that although Amaro Angeleno is bitter-sweet, it is more bitter than sweet and has a strong bitter aftertaste.
How to substitute
An equal amount of Amaro Angeleno can be used to substitute for the required amount of Lillet Blanc for most cocktails.
5. Reserve Jean de Lillet
Jean de Lillet is a wine worth collecting with its golden-orange hue and honey-like flavor.
It is made from Haitian bitter oranges, Spanish orange peels, Semillon, orange liqueur, and more.
However, do note that even though Jean de Lillet makes a great alternative for Lillet Blanc, it is quite rare to find in most parts of the world.
How to substitute
Once obtained, Reserve Jean de Lillet can be used to equally replace Lillet Blanc in cocktails. It can also be enjoyed simply as is.
Try these luscious Lillet cocktails.
6. St Germain
St Germain is one of the few sweeter French substitutes for Lillet Blanc, made from a variety of sweet tropical fruits such as pear, grapefruit, and more.
It is important to note that, unlike other alternatives, St Germain is sweeter and has a strong floral feel to it.
It is also more expensive compared to Lillet Blanc.
How to substitute
A slightly lesser quantity of St Germain is often enough to replace the required quantity of Lillet Blanc in most cocktails.
Three easy St Germain cocktails.
7. Swedish Punsch
Swedish Punsch is a well-known liqueur that combines brandy or arrack with tea, water, and sugar.
It has bitter-sweet and spicy notes to it.
If choosing Swedish Punsch, do note that although most Punsch shares a common spicy and sweet taste, different brands incorporate different ingredients in their products.
How to substitute
Since Swedish Punsch is slightly spicy compared to Lillet Blanc, equal or slightly lesser amounts of it can be added to cocktails like Guldkant.
The classic Swedish Punsch cocktail.
8. Salers Aperitif
Salers Aperitif is a tangy, citrusy, and bittersweet French alternative to Lillet Blanc with nearly the same alcohol content, making it great for summer cocktails.
Do remember that being an Aperitif, Salers Aperitif is meant to be enjoyed before a meal. It is also hard to find in all parts of the world.
How to substitute
Equal quantities of Salers Aperitif and Lillet Blanc can be used to substitute for each other for all tropical and fruity cocktails.
A light Salers Aperitif cocktail.
9. Angostura Orange Bitters
Angostura bitters are known to elevate the taste of any cocktail with their sweet and tangy orange flavors and give them a burst of freshness.
Remember that Angostura Orange bitters are comparatively lighter than the much deeper Lillet Blanc and can be used in cocktails like Vesper.
How to substitute
Equal or slightly more amounts of Angostura Orange bitters can be used to substitute for the required amount of Lillet Blanc.
Cocktail with Angostura Orange Bitter.
10. Dubonnet
Dubonnet is a widely-known wine-based aperitif that combines fortified wine, cinchona bark, cane sugar, spices, herbs, and a pinch of quinine, making it a delicious alternative.
Although Dubonnet makes a great Lillet Blanc substitute, it is often enjoyed best simply chilled or served on the rocks rather than in a cocktail.
How to substitute
An equal amount of Dubonnet can be used to substitute for the required amount of Lillet Blanc for most cocktails.
A delicious Dubonnet cocktail.
11. Dry Vermouth
Dry or White or French Vermouth is a variation of Vermouth with a less sweet yet fruity and herbal bitter taste that can replace Lillet Blanc in certain cocktails.
It is necessary to note that Dry Vermouth only has 5% sugar content which is comparatively lower than all the other alternatives, giving it a less sweet earthy flavor.
How to substitute
An equal or slightly lesser quantity of Dry Vermouth can be used to substitute for the required quantity of Lillet Blanc for most cocktails.
Light Dry Vermouth cocktail.
12. Dry Sherry
Dry Sherry is a multi-purpose dry wine obtained from complete fermentation.
It has a dry, crisp, sharp, nutty, and less sweet grape-like taste.
Since Dry Sherry has a tangy and sharp taste, it is not often used in the making of cocktails but is rather used for soups, poultry dishes, and salad dressings.
How to substitute
Equal amounts of Dry Sherry can be used to substitute for the required amount of Lillet Blanc with additional sweeteners to avoid tartness.
Three of the best Dry Sherry cocktails.
FAQs
The best and closest substitutes for Lillet Blanc are St Germain, Cocchi Americana, Kina L’Avion d’Or, Sweet White Vermouth, and Amaro Angeleno. All of these alternatives share a bittersweet taste and floral notes.
Some of these alternatives work better for certain cocktails while other substitutes should be considered for some other cocktails.
Lillet Blanc is a variation of Vermouth with a wine base. They both have up to 19% alcohol content and are most often added to cocktails but can also be enjoyed on the rocks as an aperitif for a better taste experience.
Lillet Blanc Vermouth consists of brandy, fruits, roots, and aromatic herbs, which give it a fruity taste and a floral aroma.
Lillet Blanc is a less sweet wine-based aperitif made with Sauvignon Blanc wine, fruits, and herbs, and also contains a small quantity of quinine. It is added to cocktails to give them more depth and a richer feel.
St Germain is a sweeter and lighter berry-like aperitif that can easily be enjoyed as is. A small quantity of it can elevate most cocktails.
The best Lillet Blanc substitutes in Corpse Reviver are Dry Vermouth and Cocchi Americana. They can simply be added in the same amount as Lillet Blanc. Other ingredients used in the making of Corpse Reviver are gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, and absinthe.
Lillet Blanc, Dry Vermouth, and Cocchi Americana are used in most sour cocktails, similar to Corpse Reviver.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a Lillet Blanc substitute, hopefully this article was helpful.
Have you used any of these substitutes before? Let us know in the comments below.
And don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family who might be looking for a Lillet Blanc substitute too.