Tara's Vesper Martini
By Tara Smith, Sommelier
“When I cocktail at home, I keep it shaken, not stirred with this version of the Vesper…”
Smith – Tara Smith
5 min cook time
Serves 1
Why we like it
Although James Bond’s ‘Vesper’ only makes an appearance in a single Ian Fleming novel, it has since transcended its literary origins to become an icon in the cocktail world.
“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?”
The Kina Lillet used in Casino Royale (an aromatized wine with quinine) is no longer available, but current Lillet Blanc offers a flavour somewhere between dry and sweet vermouth. This recipe is perfect if you can't find Kina Lillet or already have dry white vermouth on hand.
Ingredients
Preparation Notes
In Casino Royale, 007 specifically asks for Gordon’s Gin, but he does not specify which brand of vodka he prefers.
No less than six different vodka brands have been featured in Bond films, but here, feel free to use the one you like the most.
But if you really want to go full tuxedo, grab one from the top shelf.
Behind the bar, many bartenders recommend stirring to chill and dilute a Vesper Martini, but for a literary literarily accurate take, it has
to be shaken, not stirred.
