7 Cocktails to Make with Lillet

After a night on the line, most chefs have a go-to drink, from cheap beer to a house bartender’s expert cocktail. Here, star chefs reveal their favorite drinks.

Typically, Daniel Holzman, The Meatball Shop chef and co-owner, is a bourbon and Budweiser fan. But lately he’s been drinking a lot of Lillet, a fruity, floral French aperitif wine. Here, a few more Lillet cocktails for aperitif lovers like Holzman.

1. Vesper
James Bond’s original cocktail of choice is made with gin, vodka and Lillet.

2. Golden Lillet Martini
This golden-hued cocktail is made with dark brown sugar, aged rhum agricole, Lillet and limoncello for a bright finish.

3. Tabernacle Crush
The American South meets the south of France in this slight and refreshing cocktail.

4. Sweet Basil
Basil, gin and Lillet make for an ultra-summery drink.

5. The Seville
This complex cocktail gets a terrific nuttiness from fino sherry.

6. Creole Resolution
Kick a Champagne cocktail up a notch with Lillet and homemade grenadine.

7. Dirty Blonde
This dirty martini is made “blonde” with the addition of Lillet.