Tonic Spritz

By Rebekah Peppler

Tonic Spritz
Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Rating
4(252)
Comments
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This simple variation gets a one-two punch of bitter quinine from both tonic and Lillet Blanc. A fortified white wine-based apéritif made outside Bordeaux, Lillet (pronounced lee-LAY) is golden hued, citrus forward and has been clinking around bars since 1872. Since all the ingredients in the cocktail (Lillet, bubbles, tonic) skew somewhat sweet — in spite of quinine’s bitter notes — make sure to seek out both dry tonic and dry sparkling wine to avoid crossing over to saccharine. If you don’t have access to dry tonic, you can also use equal parts tonic and club soda.

Featured in: The Aperol Spritz Is Not a Good Drink

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Ingredients

Yield:1 cocktail
  • 2ounces Lillet Blanc
  • 3ounces dry sparkling wine
  • 1ounce dry tonic, such as Fever-Tree or Q Tonic
  • Lemon twist
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)

128 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 0 grams protein; 11 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Fill a wine glass with ice, then add the Lillet Blanc. Top with sparkling wine and tonic. Add the lemon twist directly into the spritz and enjoy immediately.

Ratings

4 out of 5
252 user ratings
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Comments

mamas cookie

I make this with San Pelligrino or another Spring water with bubbles. Lillet is perfectly sweet enough without the sugar in Fever-Tree or Q tonic which I enjoy with Gin.

Jess Kemp

The author mentions using a “dry” sparkling wine to avoid the drink being too sweet. However, most sparkling wines that are made in the style of Champagne use the same labeling method and the term “dry” is actually one of the the sweeter styles you can buy. So look for a Brut style sparkling wine to keep this drink balanced.

Jock Craig

Fever Tree makes a “light” tonic that is much less aggressive than the regular. It’s your answer to cloyingly sweet....

teacherhansen

Refreshing, not too sweet. Enjoying it on the patio enjoying the spring

Su

For those looking for a less-sweet drink, in addition to using a brut sparkling wine and dry tonic, look to a nice dry, herbaceous vermouth (or use Lillet Dry, if you can find it) instead of the Lillet, which is quite sweet. If I'm using an inexpensive brand and looking for punch rather than nuance, I also like to add a dash of liquid from a jar of preserved lemons or limes for some extra salt and acid.

ginashares

This is my first ever NYT food comment because it’s kind of an intimidating place, but my deep love for this spritz which my dad introduced me to a few years ago broke the seal. If you are new to Lillet (also delicious by itself on ice), this spritz is for sure a reason to try a bottle. It’s bubbly, a bit bitter, a bit sweet and pretty with lemon slices on a sweltering day. Or any day?

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