Vesper Martini
Bond's own Martini: sharp, spirit-driven and lifted by a hint of citrus from Lillet Blanc.
Ingredients
- London Dry gin90 ml
- Vodka30 ml
- Lillet Blanc, or Cocchi Americano for a more bitter twist15 ml
- Lemon, to garnish (optional)1 twist
Method
- Add the gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc to a mixing glass filled with plenty of hard ice.
- Stir for 25–30 seconds until ice cold and well diluted (or shake hard for 10–12 seconds, if you prefer Bond's method).
- Strain into a chilled martini glass; double strain if you shook it.
- Twist a piece of lemon peel over the glass to release its oils and drop it in as a garnish.
Ian Fleming, Casino Royale (1953)
About this drink
The Vesper was born in Ian Fleming's 1953 novel Casino Royale, where James Bond invents the drink and names it after the double agent Vesper Lynd. The original called for Kina Lillet, which no longer exists, but Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano give a similar bitter, aromatic finish. With three spirits and almost no sweetness, this is a drink for those who like their Martini raw and elegant.
Questions and answers
Why is the Vesper Martini so famous?
It appears in Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, where Bond dictates the recipe to the bartender himself. That scene has made it one of the most quoted cocktails in literature.
Should a Vesper Martini be shaken or stirred?
Bond's own method was to shake it hard, though most bartenders today prefer to stir clear spirits for a clearer, less cloudy drink. Both are accepted, so choose for yourself.
What if I don't have Lillet Blanc for a Vesper?
Cocchi Americano is the closest substitute, and actually nearer to the original Kina Lillet the recipe first called for, before the producer changed its formula in the 1980s.
