Vesper Martini

The Vesper Martini is a cocktail that was made famous by James Bond, the iconic British spy created by author Ian Fleming. The cocktail first appeared in Fleming’s 1953 novel “Casino Royale”, which was the first book in the James Bond series.

In the novel, James Bond orders the Vesper Martini while gambling at the casino in Royale-les-Eaux, France. The cocktail is made with gin, vodka, and a measure of Kina Lillet, a type of French aperitif wine that is no longer produced.

The recipe for the Vesper Martini, as described in the novel, is as follows:

• 3 measures of Gordon’s gin
• 1 measure of vodka
• 1/2 measure of Kina Lillet

The cocktail is shaken with ice and then strained into a chilled martini glass. Bond specifies that the drink should be served with a thin slice of lemon peel.

The Vesper Martini became a popular cocktail after the release of the James Bond film “Casino Royale” in 2006, which starred Daniel Craig as Bond. In the film, the recipe for the Vesper Martini is slightly modified, with Bond specifying that the gin should be stirred, not shaken. The recipe used in the film is as follows:

• 3 measures of Gordon’s gin
• 1 measure of vodka
• 1/2 measure of Lillet Blanc

The cocktail is stirred with ice and then strained into a chilled martini glass. Bond again specifies that the drink should be served with a lemon peel.

Despite the change in the recipe, the Vesper Martini remains a popular cocktail and a symbol of James Bond’s sophistication and taste for luxury.

For our recipe, we are going with the Daniel Craig version.

Print Recipe

Vesper Martini

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Martini – Cocktail

By Bill at CocktailServers.com – Serves: 1

Ingredients: 3 measures of Gordon's gin, 1 measure of vodka, and 1/2 measure of Kina Lillet

Ingredients

• 3 measures of Gordon's gin
• 1 measure of vodka
• 1/2 measure of Kina Lillet

Instructions

1

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and fill with ice.

2

Stir well until chilled, about 20 seconds, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Or if you want to go the full Bond route:

3

Use a cocktail shaker, and shake with ice for about 10 seconds

4

It'll make a more bubbly, cloudy drink, but that's up to you.

5

Squeeze a wide strip of lemon zest over the drink and use as garnish.

Notes

For best results, chill the martini glass prior to mixing the cocktail.