From Sparrow’s amaro and vermouth list, Lillet is a bright, wine-based French aperitif that makes a lovely start to an evening, $9 by the pour, or $13.50 for a larger pour. It is a happy hour favorite here in Kirkland.
About Lillet
Lillet comes from Podensac, a small town just south of Bordeaux in the Gironde, where the Lillet family founded their house in 1872. Their aperitif arrived in 1887 and was originally known as Kina Lillet, a quinquina flavored with cinchona bark. The recipe was lightened over the years, and in the 1980s it was reformulated with the help of Bordeaux University’s Institute of Oenology, softening the quinine bitterness into the gentler aperitif served today. At its heart Lillet is a blend of Bordeaux wine and fruit liqueurs, a style that has charmed drinkers from transatlantic liners to New York society.
Tasting Notes
Lillet is light, fresh, and aromatic, the kind of low-proof aperitif meant to wake up the palate before a meal. Look for soft citrus and orchard fruit with a faint honeyed sweetness and a whisper of gentle bitterness on the finish.
What to Pair It With
Vermouths and aperitifs like this are made for the start of the night. Pour it chilled over ice with a citrus twist, or build it into a spritz, and enjoy it with shareables from the Sparrow menu such as Fresh Oysters, Tuna Tartare, or the Burrata Avocado. Catch it during our daily happy hour from 3 to 5 PM, and settle in on the four-season dog-friendly patio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lillet?
Lillet is a wine-based French aperitif from Podensac near Bordeaux, blending Bordeaux wine with fruit liqueurs. It began in 1887 as Kina Lillet and was later reformulated into the lighter aperitif poured today.
How much is a pour of Lillet at Sparrow in Kirkland?
Lillet is $9 by the pour, or $13.50 for a larger pour, at Sparrow in Kirkland, with $3 off during the daily 3 to 5 PM happy hour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Punt e Mes. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and start your evening with one.