Bordeaux wine, macerated citrus and a whisper of quinine, blended and rested in oak at Podensac. Lillet Blanc is the aperitif the French drink before dinner and the ingredient Ian Fleming wrote into the Vesper — a bottle that manages to be both extremely serious and extremely easy.
Brothers Paul and Raymond Lillet begin blending wine and fruit liqueurs at Podensac, a village in the Graves, south of Bordeaux.
The Blend
Bordeaux white wines married with liqueurs made from sweet and bitter orange peels, then rested in oak vats until they read as one thing.
1953
Ian Fleming has Bond order three measures of gin, one of vodka and half a measure of Lillet, shaken until ice-cold. The Vesper.
Today
Still made at Podensac, still poured over ice with a slice of orange across every terrace in the south-west of France.
What Sets It Apart
A Wine, Not A Spirit
Built on Bordeaux whites, at a gentle 17%
Macerated Citrus
Sweet and bitter orange peels, steeped separately
Rested In Oak
Blended, then given time in vat to settle
The Vesper
Named in print in 1953 and never replaced
Tasting Profile
Candied Orange
Honeyed Fruit
Pine & Resin
Bitterness
Candied OrangeHoneyRipe PearQuinineClean Finish
How to Serve It
Lillet Tonic
Two parts Lillet, three parts tonic, a thick slice of orange
The Vesper
Three gin, one vodka, half a measure of Lillet, lemon peel
Chilled, Neat
Straight from the fridge in a wine glass, before dinner
Pairs Well With
Oysters
The Bordeaux answer to the aperitif hour
Soft Cheese
Something creamy against the citrus edge
Melon & Ham
Sweet fruit and salt, the whole summer in one plate
Almond Biscuits
A small sweet thing beside a cold glass
The Finishing Touches
Green Velvet Gift Box
Our signature presentation box, added at checkout.
Hand-Tied Ribbon
Wide cream satin, tied by hand into a full bow.
Signature Gift Bag
Our matching gift bag, so it's ready to hand over on arrival.
Your Message
Add a personal note at checkout — we'll include it with the delivery.
Sending it as a surprise? Enter the recipient's address at checkout and we'll deliver straight to their door, boxed, ribboned and carrying your message — in as little as 30–45 minutes anywhere in London.
How We Deliver
London · 30–45 Minutes
Delivered to your door 24/7, 365 days a year, across Greater London.
UK-Wide Delivery
Express in 1–2 business days, standard in 3–5. Rates shown at checkout.
Tracked & Confirmed
Shipment confirmation with live tracking sent to your email.
Challenge 21
Age verified on delivery — 18+ ID required. Responsible retailing, always.
At a Glance
Origin
Podensac, Bordeaux, France
Style
Wine-based aperitif
Base
Bordeaux white wine
Signature Serve
Lillet & tonic, orange slice
ABV
17%
Bottle Size
75cl
Questions
Is Lillet a wine or a spirit?
A wine — specifically an aromatised wine aperitif. The base is Bordeaux white, blended with fruit liqueurs and rested in oak, which lands it at 17%: stronger than wine, far gentler than a spirit. Treat it like a wine: keep it in the fridge once opened and finish it within a few weeks.
What does it taste like?
Candied orange and honey up front, then ripe pear and a light resinous note, with just enough quinine bitterness to keep it from going sweet. It finishes clean, which is exactly what an aperitif is supposed to do.
Is this the Lillet in the Vesper?
It is the modern bottling of it. Fleming wrote Kina Lillet in 1953; the house renamed it Lillet Blanc in 1986 and dialled back the quinine. Purists argue about the difference — everyone else makes a very good Vesper with it.
Who is this a good gift for?
The host, the Francophile, and the person who wants a drink before dinner rather than a project. At 17% it is generous without being heavy, and the bottle looks considered on a table without anyone needing to explain it.
Can you deliver it directly to the person I'm gifting?
Yes — enter their address at checkout and add your message. In London it can be at their door within 30–45 minutes, any hour of the day. The recipient must be 18+ with ID for our Challenge 21 check.
Why Buy From Drinks House 247
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18+ Please enjoy Lillet Blanc responsibly. For guidance and support, visit drinkaware.co.uk.
