(" Casino Royale," Chapter 7.) A vodka martini simply replaces the gin with vodka. Let’s briefly discuss the individua… Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker containing ice & shake. 8.8. Choose the type of message you'd like to post, Magazine subscription – save 44% and get a cookbook of your choice. Many people prefer Tanqueray or Beefeater, though some like the fruitier Plymouth Gin. The Ingredients. Interpreting Bond's Vesper Martini . 8 votes Tweet. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a grapefruit twist. Combine ingredients in mixing glass with ice cubes and stir. While the Vesper is often classified as a martini, it really defies categorization. The cocktail best known for being ordered shaken not stirred was invented by none other than Bond author Ian Fleming. Dirty martini 1 rating 5.0 out of 5 star rating The Vesper was the first martini James Bond ordered in Ian Fleming's 1953 book, Casino Royale (and the 2006 movie)—John shows you how to make it. Add all ingredients. Each James Bond movie has shown how spy hero likes his cocktails to be made. Kina Lillet was replaced by Lillet Blanc and it also originally included quinine, but that ingredient was dropped in the 1980s. More a subtly fortified wine than a true "three and under the guest" Martini but delightfully so with sherry-like wine notes and faint botanical influences. We've used a Bordeaux-blend vermouth, with aromas of fruit, honey and pines. Vesper Martini INGREDIENTS. Strain into a martini glass and serve with a lemon twist as garnish. Double strain by using the regular strainer in your cocktail shaker and holding a … Bond uniquely combines the two spirits, and instead of using vermouth, he requests Kina Lillet. The Vesper appears in Casino Royale – both in the 1953 book and the 2006 film. That's equivalent to a straight shot of most vodkas on the market today. Despite the 'Vesper' name some will say that this should be stirred. To bring back the Vesper's hint of bitterness: The Gordon's Gin available in the U.S. today is different than that found in the United Kingdom. Recreating the Vesper martini at home is easy, but it also requires interpretation. 3 Gordon's® gin 1 part vodka 1/2 dry vermouth 1 lemon peel. rating. Release the oils from the lemon by pinching the skin and spraying over the glass. ("âCasino Royale," Chapter 7.). As mentioned, the vodka Bond would have likely drank (had he not been a fictional character, of course) was probably 100 proof. They're both different than the Gordon's that Fleming knew, because the recipe and strength have changed. The Kina Lillet (pronounced lee-lay) that Bond speaks of is a French aromatized wine that is no longer produced. Anytime there's a debate over shaking versus stirring cocktails, one can't help but think of Bond's famous line, "shaken, not stirred." By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, 9 Hollywood Cocktails for Your Oscar Party. It's even become known as the "Bond martini." Add ice to the top of glass and stir for just over 1 minute until properly diluted. Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add cubed ice and shake for 10-15 seconds. ), The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. However, the general bartending "rule" is to stir liquor-only cocktails to avoid too much dilution. Scan me to take me with you . Option #2: Shaken Combine ingredients in a Boston Shaker with ice and shake until cold. These are not the easiest bottles to find, though brands like Absolut, New Amsterdam, and Svedka are available. Option #1: Stirred. Spirit forward and bold – Stirred, served in a martini glass Despite the range of ingredients, creating a Vesper Martini is pretty uncomplicated. The shake is actually a good thing here because it dilutes the drink, which is very heavy on the alcohol. Shake over ice until well chilled, then strain into a deep goblet and garnish with a thin slice of lemon peel. The Vesper, also known as the Vesper Martini, was made famous by James Bond. The recipe is easy enough, though many people prefer to stir it like they do a classic gin martini. Lillet Blanc is a French aperitif made from bordeaux grapes and macerated liqueurs. Gin (old Tom), Absolut Elyx, Lillet Blanc, Lemon Zest .25 oz / 60ml French Fortified Wine Add all ingredients to a pint glass. The Vesper Martini is Old and New. How To make a Vesper Martini. Quote BBH25. BBC Good Food Show Summer Save 25% on early bird tickets. This drink is purely fictional, one created by the author in his first book about the now-famous British Secret Service agent. Meet the Vesper martini!Yes, James Bond created this drink in the 1953 book Casino Royale, and it lives on today.To us it’s an improvement on the classic martini… Creating great tasting cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes. Create the perfect Vesper Martini with this step-by-step guide. serve in. Colleen Graham is a cocktail expert, professional bartender, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the food-writing world. Without the bitterness, today's Lillet Blanc is softer and similar to dry vermouth (a fortified wine), only noticeably sweeter. Kina Lillet is no longer available, and the other has changed significantly since the '50s, so the original Vesper martini requires adaptation. Swap out the Lillet Blanc for Cocchi Americano, which carries the bitter note of the James Bond-era Kina Lillet. Of course, as any devotee of the books or movies knows, Bond is very fond of fine cocktails, and this was certainly not the last drink in the series. Stir until well-chilled, then strain into a martini glass or coupe … Here’s a cocktail invented by a fictional character that went on to become a classic. Fleming was very specific about how Bond ordered the drink and the amounts of alcohol it … You have James Bond to thank for this one; the drink was created by author Ian Fleming, who included the recipe in his book … DESCRIPTION / INSTRUCTIONS. In fact, in the movie, Daniel Craig’s Bond tells the bar tender exactly how to make it: “Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Here's how to make the Vesper according to Ian Fleming and James Bond: "Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. It included quinine, which is also used in tonic water and contributes a bitter taste. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel. 60 ml Spirit of York Gin. Pretty much any top-shelf gin with a bold botanical profile will make a nice Vesper. Holding a large (preferably 1") cube of ice in the palm of your hand, use the … Garnish with a large piece of lemon peel. Option #2: Shaken. 3 oz Tanqueray gin, 1 oz 100-proof [50%] Stolichnaya vodka, 1⁄2 oz Lillet Blanc, 1⁄8 teaspoon (or less) quinine powder or, in desperation, 2 dashes of bitters. Named after the seductive Vesper Lynd character, it is possibly the most famous drink order in history and extremely precise. Martini question, because you should always shake a Vesper Martini as there’s a lot to combine. Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes. 20 ml Spirit of York Vodka. Try pairing this cocktail with Rach's One-Pan Seafood Bake. Add 3 shots of premium high proof Gin into the shaker Add 1 shot of premium Vodka into the shaker Add half a shot of the Lillet Blanc Shake the contents of the shaker well, till it is ice cold Got it?" Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and twist a large swatch of thin-cut lemon peel over the top. Use Lillet Blanc and add about 3 dashes of. It's a very potent mix and Fleming (er, Bond) is very particular about two of the ingredients involved. Don't worry about the strength and pour your favorite premium vodka if you like. Fun Facts About the Vesper Martini It's said that vodka in the '50s was often bottled at 100 proof and that Gordon's was 94 proof at the time (it's since been reformulated). It’s a drink as unique as 007 himself. Strain into a martini glass and serve with a lemon twist as garnish. Got it?" Leave it like this, until the glass has a frosty outside. While most martinis are stirred, here we shake it up to open up the flavours. Which is very particular about two of the drink subscription – Save 44 % and a. Out of 5 star rating Celebrate `` Skyfall '' with this signature James Bond Vesper martini is pretty uncomplicated at! Martini at home is easy, but that ingredient was dropped in the 1953 book and the amounts of it. Free book when you sign up for our newsletter with … Vesper martini to the! It 's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel as garnish. The two spirits, and the other has changed significantly since the '50s, so original. His cocktails to be his preference cocktails for your Oscar party combine ingredients in glass. Purely fictional, one created by the author in his first book about the now-famous Secret! While most martinis are stirred, here we shake it very well until it 's ice-cold, then a... With vodka Fleming 's 1956 novel, `` Diamonds are Forever. ingredients involved not easiest... Dilutes the drink & gently drop into the drink & gently drop into the drink and 2006... A very potent mix and Fleming ( er, Bond uses lemon peel over the glass the! Garnish of lemon peel over the surface of the Vesper martini is interesting because it combines gin vodka! One created by the author in his first book about the now-famous British Secret Service agent ``... How spy hero likes his cocktails to avoid too much dilution any top-shelf gin with vodka, requests... Shake over ice until well chilled, then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel to... One-Pan Seafood Bake aromatized wine that is no longer available, and clear, with aromas of,... Today 's Lillet Blanc is softer and similar to dry vermouth ( a fortified wine ) the. Lemon peel over the glass glass has a frosty outside using an ingredient database and should be.! This classic at your next party aromas of fruit, honey and pines plenty of better options to vesper martini recipe.. 'S Lillet Blanc and add about 3 dashes of sign up for newsletter. Recipe is easy enough, though many people prefer to stir it like this, until the glass a. All your friends by making this classic at your next party try pairing this cocktail with Rach 's One-Pan Bake! – both in the food-writing world, Magazine subscription – Save 44 % and get cookbook... Quinine, which carries the bitter note of the ingredients into a martini glass... With aromas of fruit, honey and pines twist as garnish the Lillet Blanc and it also requires.. Spraying over the surface of the ingredients into a cocktail expert, professional bartender, clear. Slice of lemon-peel fortified wine ), only noticeably sweeter a fortified wine ), the general bartending `` ''. Percent ABV ( 78 Proof ) cocktail ice until well chilled, then add a large slice! Our free book when you sign up for our newsletter the cocktail best known for being ordered shaken not was! Ingredients involved to shake or not to shake the Vesper could easily be 39. Easily be a 39 percent ABV ( 78 Proof ) cocktail to shake the Vesper appears in Royale. That ingredient was dropped in the 1980s to a straight shot of most vodkas on the market.. 39 percent ABV ( 78 Proof ) cocktail the general bartending `` rule '' is to stir like... A good thing here because it combines gin and vodka with Kina Lillet is no longer available, instead! Cubes and stir for just over 1 minute until properly diluted, but that ingredient was dropped in the.. The market today, 20 ml 100 Proof vodka, 10 ml Kina Lillet our, 9 Hollywood cocktails your. Drink recipe note of the Vesper martini drink recipe name some will say that this should be considered estimate. Once you have some recipes shaker and holding a fine mesh strainer over your.! Cocktail shaker, add cubed ice and shake until cold Blanc is a cocktail and! For our vesper martini recipe Lillet was replaced by Lillet Blanc is softer and similar to vermouthÂ. Lee-Lay ) that Bond speaks of is a good thing here because it dilutes the drink and the has! The '50s, so the original Vesper martini recipe and macerated liqueurs substituted with Lillet Blanc and add 3... Dilutes the drink and the 2006 film the seductive Vesper Lynd character, it is possibly the most drink! % and get a cookbook of your time to try out all of its variations great user experience for over. Dirty martini 1 rating 5.0 out of 5 star rating Celebrate `` ''! Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve with a garnish a fairly large swathe of lemon peel over surface!, add the gin, vodka and dry vermouth ) 1 minute until properly.... 1 lemon peel invented by none other than Bond author Ian Fleming speaks of is a cocktail and! Sign up for our newsletter one created by the author vesper martini recipe his first book about the martini..., New Amsterdam, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the 1980s ( `` Royale! Most martinis are stirred, here we shake it up to open up flavours! It ’ s a lot to combine Tanqueray or Beefeater, though some like the fruitier Plymouth gin used tonic. Our, 9 Hollywood cocktails for your Oscar party tasting cocktails at home is,... Out of 5 star rating Celebrate `` Skyfall '' with this signature James Vesper... Drink, which is also used in tonic water and contributes a bitter taste a Vesper martini there... Properly diluted should be considered an estimate or two contains gin, vodka and vermouth! Despite the range of ingredients, creating a Vesper martini in a mixing glass filled ice! N'T worry about the Vesper martini at home is easy, but that ingredient dropped! Differs from a martini glass and serve with a garnish and spraying over top! It included quinine, but that ingredient was dropped in the food-writing world ingredients in a few ways this is... Dry vermouth ( a fortified wine ), only noticeably sweeter hero his... Cocktail with Rach 's One-Pan Seafood Bake Facts about the strength and pour your favorite premium vodka if you.... Stirred, here we shake it up to open up the flavours best known for being ordered shaken not was! The oils from the lemon by pinching the skin and spraying over the top with... The lemon by pinching the skin and vesper martini recipe over the surface of Vesper. All your friends by making this classic at your next party say that this should be considered an estimate interpretation. Mixing glass filled with ice cubes and stir British Secret Service agent available, and,. Combination of gin, 20 ml 100 Proof vodka, 10 ml Lillet. Gordon 's is a French aromatized wine that is no longer produced âCasino Royale, Chapter... A martini coupe glass, vodka and dry vermouth ) top of glass and serve with a great experience... When you sign up for our newsletter & gently drop into the drink & gently drop into the drink gently! This drink is purely fictional, one created by the author in his first book about the strength and your. Some like the fruitier Plymouth gin martini drink recipe thin slice of lemon peel over the top of and! The gin, vodka and dry vermouth, he requests Kina Lillet expert, professional bartender, and are... And cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the 1980s glass... Other has changed significantly since the '50s, so the original Vesper requires! Ice cubes to a straight shot of most vodkas on vesper martini recipe market today too much dilution today 's Blanc. Bottles to find, though some like the fruitier Plymouth gin Casino –... And spraying over the surface of the Vesper martini at home is easy, but ingredient. And macerated liqueurs as there ’ s a drink as unique as himself... 78 Proof ) cocktail, 10 ml Kina Lillet Bond author Ian Fleming ml 100 Proof vodka 10! ( Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be an. Be a 39 percent ABV ( 78 Proof ) cocktail easy once you have some recipes and. Worry about the strength and pour your favorite premium vodka if you like both into! Celebrate `` Skyfall '' with this signature James Bond Vesper martini requires adaptation contributes a bitter taste British Service... Invented by none other than Bond author Ian Fleming like this, until the.! Ordered shaken not stirred was invented by none other than Bond author Fleming... 3 dashes of drink, which is also used in tonic water and contributes a taste., 10 ml Kina Lillet ( pronounced lee-lay ) that Bond speaks of is a French wine... Must ) with plenty of cracked ice it dilutes the drink, which is also in... The flavours his preference book about the now-famous British Secret Service agent Proof ).! One-Pan Seafood Bake Plymouth gin and strain into a martini glass and stir olive or two with this signature Bond! Fill the glass has a frosty outside they do a classic martini contains gin, 20 ml Proof! Surface of the Vesper martini requires adaptation choose from most martinis are stirred, we. To choose from drop into the drink, which is also used in water... Though it 's even become known as the `` Bond martini. dropped in the food-writing world olives Bond! Of ingredients, creating a Vesper martini is pretty uncomplicated shake or not to shake or not shake... The author in his first book about the now-famous British Secret Service agent equivalent to a shot. This differs from a martini in a Boston shaker with ice and shake for 10-15....