Substitutes for Lillet: The best alternatives

If you’ve run out of Lillet and it’s sold out at the supermarket, there are numerous other alcoholic alternatives that are very good substitutes for the original.

• If you buy Cocchi Americano Bianco instead, your guests won’t even notice that it’s a substitute. Both aperitifs taste the same. Advantage: The alternative is usually even cheaper than the original. Disadvantage: The drink contains more quinine and tastes more bitter than Lillet. It is therefore not a 1:1 substitute in all cocktails.
• Kina L’Avion d’Or tastes similar, but not identical. However, the French aperitif is slightly more bitter than the original. You should bear this in mind when using it as a cocktail ingredient. La Fleur de Nina also has a bitter note. It is considered a niche alternative.
• White Glögg also resembles Lillet in taste. The Swedish punch is used ice-cold for cocktails.
• Amaro Angeleno also offers a similar taste experience. This aperitif is made from brandy and white wine. Various herbs are added, giving it a taste similar to Lillet.
• If you prefer a slightly sweeter taste, try a sweet white vermouth. The Italian varieties are fresh, fruity, and intense. They are ideal for preparing long drinks or cocktails.
• If you particularly like the fruity note, replace the Lillet with a St. Germain liqueur. This French liqueur tastes particularly good in cocktails, either ice-cold or neat.
• Another inexpensive alternative is Mille Reves blanc. If you use it as an alternative to Lillet in a cocktail, you will hardly notice any difference. However, there may be differences in taste depending on the cocktail recipe.
• There are also discount alternatives such as Aldi’s “Little Wild Berry” or Netto’s “Stardrink Wild Berry” as inexpensive options for Lillet Wild Berry. Simple vermouth varieties are often available in supermarkets for as little as €2, but they tend to be less complex in flavor. “Lil’Red Wildberry” from Netto and “Little Wild Berry” from Aldi are even non-alcoholic versions and are therefore suitable for mocktails.