The original recipe for the Vesper was created not by a bartender but by popular spy novelist Ian Fleming. In Fleming’s 1953 book Casino Royale, Agent 007 instructs the bartender to prepare him a Martini with “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.” Bond named this drink after Vesper Lynd, his first love interest in the series. Kina Lillet vermouth, with its flavor notes of quinine, no longer exists, so we replaced it with Lillet Blanc and a dash of Angostura bitters. We opted for a blend of Charbay clear vodka and Plymouth Navy Strength gin to finish off our interpretation. This is the cocktail that introduced the phrase “shaken, not stirred,” which changed Martini drinking forever. Thank you, Mr. Bond.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Pour the vodka, gin, Lillet Blanc, and bitters into a mixing glass. Add large cold ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lemon twist.
tasting notes
Step 2
Dominant Flavors: clean citrus and light botanicals
Step 3
Body: ice cold, mellow
Step 4
Dryness: dry
Step 5
Complexity: low with straightforward flavors
Step 6
Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: slight acidity and fruit from vermouth
Step 7
Finish: short, mouth-cleansing with hint of orange
Step 8
Glass: cocktail
