Lillet is a brand of French aperitif wine. It is a blend of 85% wine and citrus liqueurs made from a variety of oranges. Lillet is matured in oak casks and available in red and white versions. While it has been produced since the late 1800s, the current formulation dates from 1987 (1990 for Red Lillet) and is relatively less bitter and sugary, and more fruit flavoured, than the historical one.
As an aperitif wine, Lillet is generally served chill...
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Lillet is a brand of French aperitif wine. It is a blend of 85% wine and citrus liqueurs made from a variety of oranges. Lillet is matured in oak casks and available in red and white versions. While it has been produced since the late 1800s, the current formulation dates from 1987 (1990 for Red Lillet) and is relatively less bitter and sugary, and more fruit flavoured, than the historical one.
As an aperitif wine, Lillet is generally served chilled, or over ice, with sliced citrus. The drink is often served with salmon or other fish, or used in tapenade toasts.
The Lillet brothers' company (distillers and merchants of wines and spirits) was created in the town of Podensac, South of Bordeaux, France. Lillet was first produced in 1887.
The idea of making aperitifs in Bordeaux came from Father Kermann, a monk and doctor who left Brazil at the beginning of Louis XVI's reign. Back in France, he settled in Bordeaux, where he produced liqueurs and fortifiers from plants such as quinine....
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