James Bond: “I think, I’ll call it a Vesper.”
Vesper Lynd: “Because of the bitter aftertaste?”
James Bond: “No, because once you’ve tasted it, that’s all you want to drink.”
James Bond Vesper Martini Recipe
With the release of the 24th James Bond movie, “SPECTRE,” we celebrate with a Bond cocktail known as The Vesper. The “Vesper Martini” is the famous drink ordered by James Bond in both the book, and the movie, Casino Royale. James Bond author Ian Fleming created this inventive original variation on the traditional dry martini and named it the Vesper after fictional Bond character, Vesper Lynd. Fleming gives the exact recipe for this martini, made with gin and vodka
“A dry martini. One. In a deep champagne goblet. Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.”
When preparing this cocktail, you must mix the ingredients, strain, and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Kina Lillet is no longer made, but Lillet Blanc (made by the some company) is the modern equvilent, though it’s said to be slightly less bitter in taste than the original Kina Lillet.
Shaken, Not Stirred
Vesper Martini Recipe
3 oz Gordons Gin
1 oz Stolichnaya or Smirnoff Vodka
1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
Shake all the ingredients with ice in a shaker, then pour into a chilled martini glass, or for the die-hard Bond purists, a deep champagne goblet. Garnish with a large thin slice of lemon peel and you’re ready to… wait for it… die another day.
