Lillet Sour, the drink of the summer! Ripe with fresh lemon juice, floral Lillet Blanc, hearty Rye whiskey, Cointreau, and simple syrup. It’s a simple boujee drink recipe that’s even easier to drink!

The Lillet Sour is a nod to the classic whiskey sour; with the volume turned way up to create a mixed drink you won’t forget!

How to Make a Lillet Sour

First, you’ll need to gather your ingredients:

Lillet Blanc – a french aperitif wine (a fortified wine) that is most known for James Bond’s Vesper martini order! Its notes of honey, oranges, and exotic fruits will have you ready to shake up cocktails in no time! Remember in Casino Royale when Bond orders his martini? Gin, vodka, and a measure of kina Lillet.

The Lillet family makes two other types that are incredible — Lillet Rouge (think oranges, berries, and rich tannins) and Lillet Rosé (more acidic with notes of grapefruit and orange blossom). If you live in NC, you’ll need to visit a specialty wine shop — in the Asheville area, I recommend Metro Wines! Lillet is not sold in our liquor stores or grocery stores.

Rye Whiskey – while I chose to use Whistle Pig Rye aged 10 years (more expensive rye to mix a cocktail with), the subtle notes of vanilla and caramel pair so well with Lillet Blanc.

Cointreau – the OG on orange liqueur! It’s what you find in classic cocktails such as a Cosmopolitan.

Lemon Juice – fresh is best! I used Meyer lemon juice because it’s at the end of the season and you cannot get enough of the sweet

Simple Syrup – I used store-bought, but you can also make your own with a one-to-one ratio of water to sugar.

Next, let’s gather the tools you’ll need:

Cocktail Shaker – you always need a cocktail shaker! But, you’ll also need the other items in this bar set!
Jigger – this helps you measure the perfect cocktail ounce!
Knife – to slice the lemons in half
Glasses – Love me a good martini glass, but a rocks glass will do, too! It would look gorgeous in a champagne coupe with edible flowers floating on top.

Now, let’s get going on this cocktail recipe!

Start with fresh ice in your cocktail shaker.

Measure out the following list of ingredients, but don’t worry, there is a printable recipe card below!

3 ounces Lillet Blanc
1 ounce Rye
1 ounce Lemon Juice
1 ounce Cointreau
1-ounce Simple Syrup

This makes two cocktails, right inside the cocktail shaker!

Pop the top on the shaker, and shake for 1 minute.

Set a timer — it’s wayyyyyyy longer than you think, and if your hands are burning from being freezing cold you haven’t been shaking long enough.

Pro Tip: Wrap a kitchen towel around the shaker before you go to town… You’ll thank me later!

After your cocktail is properly chilled, strain it into old fashioned glass, such as a martini glass, rocks glass, or coupe.

Finally, top with a fresh slice of lemon, and serve.

Turn this Lillet Sour into a Spritz with a gentle pour of soda water. Garnishing with orange peel or muddled maraschino cherries.

This summertime cocktail recipe idea will wow all of your people!

Save this recipe to your favorite Cocktail Recipe board on Pinterest!