lillet blanc

James Bond's Vesper Martini

James Bond is a (fictional) man of many talents. I would say that along with "international man of intrigue– and lady killer" we should also consider his talents as a mixologist and poet. Because in the 1953 Ian Flemming novel Casino Royale, Mr. Bond combines both skills to memorable effect.

    "A dry martini," [Bond] said. "One. In a deep champagne goblet."

    "Oui, monsieur."

    "Just a moment. 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. Got it?"

    "Certainly, monsieur." The barman seemed pleased with the idea.

    "Gosh, that's certainly a drink," said Leiter.

    Bond laughed. "When I'm...er...concentrating," he explained, "I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I can think of a good name."

Sippity Sup Continues »

Vesper Martini

Prep time: 5
Yield:1 (Servings)

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz london dry gin
  • 1 oz 100-proof stolichnaya vodka
  • 0.5 oz lillet blanc
  • 0.125 t (or less) quinine powder or, in desperation, 2 dashes of bitters

Directions

Shake these ingredients (if you must) with plenty of cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and twist a large swatch of thin-cut lemon peel over the top. Shoot somebody evil.

Notes:

serves 1

Source: James Wondrich