The Vesper Martini cocktail comes straight out of the James Bond, 007 book and movie entitled Casino Royale. It is probably my favorite of the Daniel Craig movies. In the scene Bond orders a “Dry Martini” but then says, “Wait. 3 measures of Gordon’s, 1 of vodka, 1/2 a measure of Kina Lillet, shake it over ice, then add a thin slice of lemon peel.” Or something like that. It must have sounded good to the other gamblers because most of them ask for one of the same. Felix Leiter, the CIA agent orders one but proclaims, “Keep the fruit.”. Anyway, come to find out making this drink these days is literally impossible since Kina Lillet is no longer made. There are some substitutes that you can find on the internets. For this recipe I settled on Lillet Blanc with a few dashes of aromatic bitters. You can also use dry vermouth.

I’ve said many times, my preference for cocktails is booze forward and wow, this one fits the bill. Almost too much. The Bond version is almost 5 ounces of all liquor. This is probably why it is better to shake and not stir. The ice helps water it down just a bit. For my recipe I cut the gin back to 2 1/4 ounces.

I love this cocktail. Much like Bond and Vesper herself in the movie, when my wife and I first tasted it, you kind of have to turn your head to the side and think, “that’s not half bad”.

Ingredients for a Vesper Cocktail

• 2 1/4 ounces gin (we like Bombay Sapphire)
• 1 ounce vodka (we like Grey Goose)
• 1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Lemon peel, for garnish

How to make a Vesper Cocktail

• To a cocktail shaker add gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc, bitters and some large ice cubes.
• Shake(n not stirred) for 15-20 seconds.
• Strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with thin slice of lemon peel.

I’ve been posting a lot of cocktail recipes, most of them include whisky. I do actually like other liquors, especially gin. I posted a while back, one of my favorites, the Corpse Reviver No 2 Cocktail. It is as unique as the Vesper.