Lillet Blanc is a versatile aperitif that’s lovely on its own and shines in a variety of cocktails. Often associated with warm-weather sipping, it also pairs beautifully with less summery flavors—like fresh grapefruit juice in The Rising Star—so we enjoy it year-round.
We created this cocktail for a performing arts fundraiser, and it makes a polished signature drink for an awards-night gathering such as an Oscar party.
Why we love these Lillet and vodka cocktails
This balanced, refreshing, and super-simple cocktail is a crowd pleaser. Make The Rising Star by the glass for a few guests or scale it up in pitchers for a party; it presents elegantly without fuss.
We keep bottles of Lillet Blanc chilled for sipping and for adding a bright note to anything from sparkling wine to more complex mixed drinks. This year, with some Lillet left over after summer, we paired it with less seasonal elements for a fundraiser late in September. With a generous vodka donation from a local brand and a theme celebrating rising stars, the cocktail practically created itself.
Lillet Blanc complements vodka and grapefruit juice wonderfully in this smooth, easy-drinking Rising Star. We finished each glass with a star fruit slice when hosting the event—purely decorative, but festive for the occasion.
What is Lillet Blanc?
Lillet Blanc is a French aromatized aperitif wine from Bordeaux. It’s made from local grapes and flavored with herbs, spices, and citrus, then fortified to about 17% ABV with macerated fruit liqueurs. In many ways it resembles vermouth: aromatized, fortified, and versatile. Not too sweet and not too bitter, Lillet Blanc is enjoyable chilled over ice and adapts well to cocktails.
Ingredients for The Rising Star
This straightforward cocktail uses only three easy-to-find ingredients:
- Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (or a quality bottled grapefruit juice if you’re making a large batch)
- Lillet Blanc
- Vodka
How to make a Rising Star
Follow these simple steps to make a delightful Lillet Blanc and vodka cocktail.
For a single cocktail
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add Lillet Blanc, vodka, and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
- Shake until well chilled, then strain into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a star fruit slice if desired and serve.
For a pitcher of cocktails
- A few hours before the event, combine Lillet Blanc, vodka, and grapefruit juice in a 1:1:2 ratio in a pitcher and chill in the refrigerator.
- Just before serving, add plenty of ice to keep the mixture cold while you pour.
Expert tips and FAQs
Cocchi Americano is a great substitute. It has a slightly more bitter profile, which many bartenders appreciate. Cocchi is an aromatized, fortified aperitif from Italy with bright citrus and bitter notes that work well in similar cocktails.
Serve Lillet Blanc well chilled, either on its own over ice or as part of a cocktail. It pairs especially well with gin or vodka and is rarely a disappointment.
More favorite cocktails starring Lillet Blanc
- This classic cocktail is a must-try.
- We also enjoy riffs that swap or combine amari and other aromatized wines for a modern Negroni variation.
The Rising Star: A Cocktail Starring Lillet Blanc
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces Lillet Blanc
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
- Starfruit slice, to garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add Lillet Blanc, vodka, and grapefruit juice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with a slice of star fruit, and serve. You can also serve this cocktail over ice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
Additional Info
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