Lillet Aperitif Rouge

Lillet Aperitif Rouge is a red, wine-based aperitif. Expect a drink that sits between a table wine and a vermouth, with ripe red-fruit sweetness held in check by a light bitter-citrus edge. Aperitifs of this type are typically built on red wine that is fortified and flavored with citrus peel and botanicals, so look for cherry and orange-peel notes with a gentle herbal finish rather than the sharp bitterness of an amaro. The body is usually soft and medium-weight, and the sweetness is moderate enough to drink on its own without turning syrupy. It also runs lower in alcohol than a spirit or most liqueurs, which suits long, unhurried drinks. The simplest service is chilled and neat, or over a large ice cube in a rocks glass or stemmed wine glass, with an orange slice or twist to bring out the citrus. A spritz-style serve also works well: about two ounces over ice, topped with three ounces of soda water or tonic, and garnished with orange. This stretches the bottle and keeps the drink light before a meal. In cocktails, a red aperitif like this is useful as a softer stand-in for sweet vermouth. Try it in a Negroni variation, with equal parts gin, bitter aperitivo and the aperitif, for a rounder, fruitier result. It can replace vermouth in a Manhattan-style drink with rye and a dash of bitters, where its lighter sweetness lets the whiskey lead. It also works in a Americano-style build with a bitter red aperitivo and soda, or in a small measure with gin and a lemon twist. At the table, serve it cold alongside salty, savory starters: cured meats, aged hard cheeses, olives, marcona almonds, or a simple charcuterie board. After opening, keep the bottle sealed and refrigerated, since aromatized wines lose their fresh fruit character if left at room temperature for long.