Sharkbaits Cocktail of the Week: A Matter of Opinion

Hooray for making it through another hot as fuck week. The weather pattern and my phone’s algorithm seemed to sync up this week, as I was served not one, not two, but three separate posts linking back to the same Food and Wine article raving about the Lillet and tonic, and how it is “the ultimate warm weather cocktail”. Now, I’m a bit skeptical of something being billed as the ultimate warm weather cocktail, especially when it is so close to what, in my opinion, is the best warm weather/summer cocktail: The gin and tonic. I’m definitely down to experiment with variations on a theme though, so why not give it a shot?

Lillet and Tonic

3 ounces tonic water

1 1/2 ounces Lillet Blanc or Lillet Rosé

Orange wedge, for garnish*

Combine tonic water and Lillet in a wineglass or highball glass filled with ice; stir until mixed. Garnish with an orange wedge.

*I know, no orange. But I added a couple dashes of orange bitter.

No real aroma here. Had I used an orange slice as opposed to bitters, I think that would stand out and give it a nice seasonal smell. But I’m not surprised nothing really stands out. Lillet is rather light scent wise, and tonic is…tonic

I dont know about the drink of the summer, but this is very very good. It’s light, refreshing, and certainly cools you down. As far as flavors go, It’s very well balanced. The lillet flavor, while subtle, does come through and provide a sweet balance to the quinine led bitterness of the tonic. Of which, while the recipe doesn’t specifically call for the orange bitters, I really like it in this application. I think it livens up the tonic a bit, and helps the flavor stand up to the Lillet, thereby adding to the well balanced flavor profile. It does have a lingering slightly bitter aftertaste, but nothing detrimental to the overall drink, nor does it compound if you go back in for another sip in rapid succession. Which, given the makeup of this drink, is very easy to do once it gets stupid hot out.

Would I call this the ultimate warm weather drink? In my opinion, no I wouldn’t. As mentioned above, my standard is the gin and tonic, and while this does come close, it doesn’t beat a nice G&T on a hot day. But, if you don’t like gin, definitely give this one a try.

(Banner image courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)