Full Answer
What is Kina Lillet blanc?
Originally spelt with one 'l' (Lilet), Kina Lillet owes its notoriety due to its use in James Bond's Vesper cocktail in Casino Royale . Now named Lillet Blanc, the modern day version is much changed from the Kina Lillet Bond's author knew and used in his hero's signature cocktail.
What kind of alcohol is Lillet?
"Lillet" belongs to a family of aperitifs known as tonic wines because of the addition of quinine liqueur. Kina Lillet (1887–1986): A liqueur made with white wine mixed with fruit liqueurs and flavored with quinine.
What is Kina liqueur made of?
Kina Lillet (1887–1986): A liqueur made with white wine mixed with fruit liqueurs and flavored with quinine. The "Kina" in its name is derived from quinine's main ingredient: the bark of the kina-kina (or cinchona) tree.
When did Lillet dry stop using Kina?
During the 1920s the company launched Lillet Dry for the English market, which was usually mixed with gin, while the company reduced the prominence of Kina in the name and sometime in the 1930s Kina seems to have been dropped altogether.
What kind of liquor is Kina Lillet?
Kina Lillet (1887–1986): A liqueur made with white wine mixed with fruit liqueurs and flavored with quinine. The "Kina" in its name is derived from quinine's main ingredient: the bark of the kina-kina (or cinchona) tree. Lillet Dry (1920–?): A drier formula created for the British market.
Why is Kina Lillet no longer available?
In 1986, under pressure from the international market, the winemakers removed most of Lillet's quinine and dropped the Kina label (in French, “kina” is another word for quinine).
What did Kina Lillet taste like?
Bittersweet and earthy with bright lemon citrus notes, this springy spirit has flourishes of fennel fronds and strong vegetal flavors on the finish.
What is a substitute for Kina Lillet?
The best substitute for the Kina Lillet is Cocchi Americano, an Italian aperitif made with a base of Moscato wine macerated with herbs, spices, gentian root and cinchona bark. It has a herbal complexity with a soft sweetness and a bitter bite.
Is Lillet similar to vermouth?
Despite the fact that both Lillet and vermouth are made from wine and fortified up to 19 percent alcohol, as Lillet's North American Brand Ambassador Nicole Cloutier explains, Lillet is not a vermouth because it contains liqueur and does not contain wormwood.
What cocktail did James Bond drink?
the Vesper MartiniThe Vesper, also known as the Vesper Martini, was made famous by James Bond. The cocktail was invented by none other than Bond author Ian Fleming. The drink first appeared in his book “Casino Royale,” which was published in 1953, and the cocktail is named for the fictional double agent Vesper Lynd.
Is Lillet the same as Aperol?
Lillet. Lillet is French, not Italian, and the fortified, flavored wine doesn't reach the bitter or sweet heights of Aperol. That said, Lillet Blanc, Rosé, and Rouge each provide a delicious, versatile spritz.
Is Lillet a wine?
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.
Is Lillet Blanc a wine or liquor?
Blended from 85 percent Semillon grapes from Bordeaux and 15 percent orange peels from Spain and Haiti, Lillet Blanc is an aromatic wine that's the perfect apéritif for any occasion.
What kind of vodka did James Bond drink?
Smirnoff VodkaVesper Martini Smirnoff Vodka is the official James Bond vodka brand. Diageo, which owns Smirnoff, recently completed the acquisition of Ethiopian beer firm Meta Brewery for US$225 million.
What is a gin martini called?
The Gibson is a savory cocktail that every gin lover will want to taste. The simple twist on the classic gin martini has been around for over a century, and the recipe is incredibly simple. You may even know it already. The difference between a Gibson cocktail and a gin martini is the garnish.
How do you pronounce Lillet?
A Quick Overview Of Lillet In French, a 'll' in the middle of a word normally sounds like a 'y'. The company is quite adamant that the pronunciation is 'lee/leh' and even changed the spelling IN FRANCE at one time to one 'l' - 'lilet', until everyone got the message, when they changed it back again.
What is the best substitute for Kina Lillet?
Pronounced "COKE-y" not "COACH-y", this Italian aperitif is made with a base of Moscato wine macerated with herbs, spices, gentian root and cinchona bark. With herbal complexity, soft sweetness and a bitter bite, Cocchi is one of the best substitutions for Kina Lillet. Using the aperitif in a Vesper creates a cocktail that is dry, bright and citrusy, with a sharp bitter backbone. It’s perfect paired with a fat swath of lemon peel and a game of Baccarat.
When did Kina Lillet disappear?
Although the Kina Lillet disappeared sometime in the late 1960s, other Lillet bottlings such as Blanc and Dry retained quinine as an ingredient, making them serviceable replacements for Kina. But then, in 1986, Lillet began production without the all important bittering agent. The aperitifs were saccharine, syrupy, and one-dimensional.
What is the ingredient in Ian Fleming's Vesper?
Wikimedia Commons. Ian Fleming's classic Bondian cocktail, the Vesper, hinges on one, now extinct ingredient: Kina Lillet. Created at the end of the 19th century in France, Kina Lillet was one of the first spirits in the class of quinquinas, wine-based spirits flavored with bitter quinine extracted from cinchona bark.
What is Amaro Angeleno made of?
Made in Los Angeles, this sunshine-hued amaro is made with an unaged brandy and Pinot Grigio wine infused with locally grown herbs, including verbena, thyme, and gentian, as well as citrus. Bright and floral with orange notes and a rich, buttery mouthfeel, Amaro Angeleno’s bitter edge only reveals itself in the finish. The amaro lends a beautiful golden hue to a Vesper, and its soft texture, weight and undulating layers of citrus flavor come through in the cocktail. With a gentle, bitter sting, a Vesper made with Amaro Angeleno is perfect for cocktailians new to the flavors of bitter amari.
Where is Gentiana Lutea made?
One of the oldest French aperitifs, this spirit has been made in the Massif Central region of France since 1885. Producers macerate neutral spirits with the roots of Gentiana Lutea, a wild, bitter herb that grows in the mountainous region of Auvergne, France, then rest and age it in Limousin oak barrels. Bittersweet and earthy with bright lemon citrus notes, this springy spirit has flourishes of fennel fronds and strong vegetal flavors on the finish. With a higher alcohol content than any other spirit on our list, Salers makes a dry, savory Vesper that packs a subtle, boozy wallop.
Is Lillet Blanc syrupy?
Compared to the original recipe, modern day Lillet Blanc is less bitter, sweeter and more syrupy. For a simple fix, embolden your Lillet Blanc-based Vesper with a few hefty dashes of Angostura bitters. The final cocktail might not look as clear and pristine as it should, but the taste will be superb.
What is Kina Lillet made of?
In the original Kina Lillet formulation (so named with respect to its status as a quinquina ), quinine liqueur made of cinchona bark from Peru was included among its ingredients. "Lillet" belongs to a family of aperitifs known as tonic wines because of the addition of quinine liqueur.
What year did Kina Lillet get 11 Grand Prizes?
1924 - 1935: "Kina-Lillet, 11 Grand Prizes" and "Ask for a Lilet" promotional campaigns run on public transport. These used the spelling "Demandez un Lilet" to signal the correct pronunciation. 1925-1935: Advertising campaigns promoting football, basketball and rugby games by André Galland.
What is a Lillet spritz?
A Lillet spritz is a two-ingredient cocktail in which white or rosé Lillet is mixed with sparkling water and a garnish such as mint, berries, cranberries, or thyme sprigs . In the USA a booklet titled "The Lillet Book of Apertif Cocktails" was distributed with bottles of Lillet.
What was Lillet famous for in the 1920s?
During the 1920s, Lillet exports greatly increased in Europe and Africa. The brand also became famous in France, thanks to advertising campaigns. At the same time, Lillet was served on transatlantic liners, part of the reason for its success with high society in New York.
What is Lillet Blanc?
Lillet Blanc (1986–present): A sweeter variant of the white-wine-based version with reduced quinine flavoring. It replaced Kina Lillet.
Where did Lillet come from?
In 1872, the brothers Paul and Raymond Lillet, distillers and merchants of wines and spirits, founded their company La Maison Lillet in Podensac, south of Bordeaux, France. The idea of making aperitifs in Bordeaux came from Father Kermann, a 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. During that time, Bordeaux became one of the most important places for the European wine business. It was also France's main harbour for products imported from the Caribbean islands .
When was Lillet reformulated?
Lillet is the name of the family, and became the only name of the brand . To improve the quality and sustainability of the Lillet recipe, in 1985 , Lillet was reformulated, after close work with the Bordeaux University 's Institute of Oenology, applying modern oenology.
What was Kina Lillet used for?
It was a very popular cocktail ingredient, and it was often used for a variety of different concoctions.
What does Lillet Blanc taste like?
As you can expect, Lillet Blanc’s primary taste is exceedingly sweet with a rich, oily mouthfeel. It opens on a mild lime zestiness with tinned peaches. This flavour quickly subsides in favour of honey and golden syrup. Afterwards, the short finish is consists of oranges and grapefruit.
How cold should Lillet be?
First of all, the bottle should be very cold. I placed mine in the freezer but it’s recommended between 6–8 °C (43–46 °F). Typically, Lillet will be used in a variety of cocktails, but you can drink it neat. Although I do prefer the bitter quinquina like Byyrh or Cap Mattei, Lillet is still very pleasant.
When was Lillet Quinquina invented?
Quinquina was invented in the mid-19th century, as France’s answer to the gin & tonic.
What is a Lillet robe?
Lillet’s robe simply resembles a Chardonnay or a Chablis white wine. Although it’s a little bit darker, it gives off the same kind of robe as a white wine. Indeed, it’s quite hazy and leaves tears around the glass if you give it a whirl. Overall, it’s promising a mild albeit unctuous experience.
When did Lillet change its name?
However, this changed in 1985 when Bruno Borie acquired the brand from the Lillet family. In response to dwindling sales, the drink was reformulated and the quinine was removed. Therefore, the name was changed and the Lillet we have today bears little resemblance to the original drink.
Is Lillet Blanc a quinquina?
Lillet Blanc Overview. Alongside Dubonnet, Lillet Blanc is probably one of the world’s most famous examples of quinquina. However, as you’ll learn in this review, it contains no quinine anymore, which is the main ingredient used to produce quinquina’s distinctive flavour.
What is Lillet's alcohol?
Lillet’s 17% alcohol by volume (abv) is higher than a typical glass of wine, but it’s easy to stretch out and use in cocktails. The Vesper Martini / Alamy.
What is Lillet wine?
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. There are three varieties to choose from: Lillet Blanc (made with Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes), Lillet Rosé (a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sémillon grapes) ...
What is the drink used in Casino Royale?
I mean, it’s just good stuff.”. Traditionally made with vodka, gin and the (now retired) Lillet Kina, the Vesper is James Bond’s drink of choice in Casino Royale. Ledbetter uses Lillet Blanc in The Betty’s version of a Vesper martini. “It’s just there to provide more body. It brings a sweetness to it, helps pull out the gin ...
What kind of wine does Trickett use?
Trickett uses unsalted pistachios. “To me, it kind of takes on that honey character. Because Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon wine are the grapes in Lillet, which already has sort of a honey characteristic. So, adding pistachios to that just kind of, to me, creates a baklava-esque cocktail in that bottle,” she explains.
What herbs can you use in Lillet Blanc?
“Lillet Blanc is a really beautiful, open canvas for adding different herbs such as rosemary and chamomile.
Can you use Lillet in a spritz?
Spritzes, bien sûr. The beauty of Lillet, though, is that while you can use it to punch up a boozy drink like the Vesper, it sings in a mellow low-ABV spritz. This is the preferred use of Lillet for Lauren Trickett, a Los Angeles based bartender and Lillet brand ambassador.
Can you use Lillet Rosé in Paloma?
A Paloma, which traditionally combines Tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda, screams summer, and Lillet Rosé can be used for a playful take. Instead of the traditional two ounces of Tequila, Trickett will reduce it to one ounce and add two ounces of Lillet Rosé before adding lime juice and seltzer or grapefruit soda. ...
Overview
Advertising and arts
• 1896: First Lillet advertising iron plates
• 1903: First Lillet illustrated poster created by Raymond Lillet
• 1906: Second Lillet illustrated poster designed by Georges Dol
• 1909: Lillet launch on transatlantic liners, with the claim: "Kina-Lillet & Sauternes Lillet can be ob…
Varieties
• Kina Lillet (1887–1986): A liqueur made with white wine mixed with fruit liqueurs and flavored with quinine. The "Kina" in its name is derived from quinine's main ingredient: the bark of the kina-kina (or cinchona) tree.
• Lillet Dry (1920–?): A drier formula created for the British market. Some consider it the Kina Lillet mentioned by Ian Fleming's character James Bond when he created the Vesper Martini.
History
In 1872, the brothers Paul and Raymond Lillet, distillers and merchants of wines and spirits, founded their company La Maison Lillet in Podensac, south of Bordeaux, France. The idea of making aperitifs in Bordeaux came from Father Kermann, a 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. During that time, Bordeaux became one of the most impor…
Serving Lillet
Lillet is an aperitif wine, intended to be served well chilled at 6–8 °C (43–46 °F). In France, Lillet is usually served on ice with a slice of orange, or a lemon or lime peel. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland Lillet blanc is more often served as a Lillet Vive, a Lillet blanc long drink. A Lillet Vive is 5cl Lillet blanc, 10cl tonic water, a slice of cucumber, a strawberry and mint leaves.
In other countries, especially in the US and UK, it is more often used as a cocktail ingredient. Th…
Appearances in popular culture
• 1950s: Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, the American spouse of King Edward VIII, was a great admirer of Lillet. She introduced it to high society, particularly at Fauchon, and into the upper-class hotels where she stayed frequently.
• 1953: in the first Ian Fleming James Bond novel Casino Royale, James Bond invents and orders a Kina Lillet martini, which he named the "Vesper" after his love interest in the story:
External links
• Official website