James Bond may like his vodka Martini “shaken not stirred” much to the eyebrow raising of Martini connoisseurs but the fictional agent is also credited with the Vesper Martini.
In the book and movie Casino Royale, Bond orders “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.” He names the cocktail after Vesper Lynd, another fictional character featured in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel.
While 007 specifies Gordon’s Gin but no vodka brand, any citrus-based London dry gin works very well. Kina Lillet is no longer produced and Lillet Blanc has taken its place. If you’re making the Vesper Martini at home, treat Lillet Blanc as you do with a vermouth by storing it in the fridge and using it within a short time frame.
The Vesper is not a Martini for the faint-hearted. Much like 007, the combination of gin, vodka and Lillet delivers a big, boozy and very satisfying hit to the head. Here’s how to make the Vesper Martini, James Bond style.
Vesper Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 60ml gin
- 20ml vodka
- 10ml Lillet Blanc
Glassware: Martini glass
Garnish: lemon twist
Method
Rub lemon peel around the outside rim of the chilled Martini glass. In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients over ice. Shake until very cold. Double strain into a chilled Martini glass or a champagne goblet if you’re trying to be like Bond. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved. Cocktail shaker by barGeek.
