Shaken, not stirred! We all know where that’s from. Vesper Martini is the drink James Bond creates in the 1953 book Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, and that same drink gets included on the list of IBA official cocktails, which makes it a part of the official bartender drinks list. Yes, it’s that good, and for many, an improvement to the classic Martini cocktail. The original recipe calls for gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet, or as 007 would say: “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?“.

Vesper martini is a cocktail recipe Ian Fleming introduces through the fictional character James Bond in a novel from 1953, Casino Royale. 007 names the cocktail after Vesper Lynd, who was his love interest in the book.

Even though a Martini cocktail has to be stirred to avoid dilution, that is exactly what we want for the Vesper. But what makes the drink so unique is not the shaking. It’s the Kina Lillet.

Kina Lillet (nowadays named Lillet) is a French wine-based apéritif flavored with citrus and herbs. Unfortunately, Kina Lillet no longer exists and the original Vesper can’t be replicated. The best substitute for it is Cocchi Americano, which is an Italian apéritif. Even though Cocchi is slightly sweater, we can still use it in the same proportions as the Lillet. 😉

Ingredients:

  1. 3 Ounces (90 ml) Gordon’s Dry Gin.
  2. 1 Ounce (30 ml) Vodka.
  3. ½  Ounce (15 ml) Cocchi Americano.
  4. Lemon peel for garnish.

Preparation:

  1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker.
  2. Fill with ice and shake until ice cold (about 30 seconds).
  3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  4. Garnish with a lemon peel. (Squeeze the lemon peel on top so the oils spray over the glass. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass and leave it inside as garnish)
  5. Enjoy.

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