Lillet is a French aperitif wine made from Bordeaux wine blended with citrus liqueurs. It has an alcohol content of 17% ABV.
How it is made
Lillet is a blend of 85% Bordeaux wine (Semillon for white and rosé, Merlot for red) and 15% citrus liqueurs made from sweet orange peels from Spain and Morocco, and green bitter orange peels from Haiti. The mixture is carefully blended in oak vats and undergoes standard Bordeaux wine processing including fermentation and filtration.
History
Originally called Kina Lillet, the aperitif has been produced since 1887 in Podensac, Bordeaux. The name referenced the quinine content from cinchona bark, which had tonic effects. By 1985, as quinine's medicinal use declined, 'Kina' was dropped from the name, and quinine content was reportedly reduced.
How it is served
Lillet is served chilled at 6-8°C as an aperitif, often with sliced citrus fruits. It is used in cocktails such as Vesper, 20th Century, Corpse Reviver, and French Negroni.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Лилле (аперитив), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.