Vesper

Instructions

1. Chill your Martini glass, preferably by filling it with ice and water while you prepare the drink.

2. Add the gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc to a shaker filled with ice cubes.

3. Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.

4. Discard the ice and water from the chilled Martini glass.

5. Double strain the mixture from the shaker into the chilled glass using a Hawthorn strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch any small ice shards.

6. Express the oils from the lemon peel over the drink by twisting it, then drop it into the glass or run it around the rim before discarding.

Trivia

• What is a Vesper cocktail?

  The Vesper, or Vesper Martini, is a classic cocktail made famous by James Bond. It uniquely combines gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc (originally Kina Lillet). Unlike a traditional Martini, it uses both gin and vodka and incorporates the French aperitif wine Lillet Blanc for a distinct flavour profile.

• Why is the Vesper cocktail called Vesper?

  The cocktail was named by James Bond in Ian Fleming's 1953 novel 'Casino Royale'. Bond names it after Vesper Lynd, the fictional double agent and his love interest in the book. He specifies the recipe precisely and declares, 'Once you've tasted it, that's all you want to drink.'

• Is the Vesper shaken or stirred?

  Famously, James Bond orders his Vesper 'shaken, not stirred'. While traditional Martinis are often stirred to maintain clarity and a silky texture, shaking the Vesper, as Bond requests, chills it rapidly and introduces slight aeration, which some believe complements the combination of spirits and Lillet.

• What does a Vesper taste like?

  A Vesper offers a complex and potent flavour profile. It's drier and more botanical than a standard vodka martini, thanks to the gin. The Lillet Blanc adds subtle fruity, floral, and slightly bitter quinine notes (especially in the original Kina Lillet formula). It's strong, crisp, and sophisticated with a citrusy aroma from the lemon peel garnish.

• What is Lillet Blanc and can it be substituted?

  Lillet Blanc is a French aromatized aperitif wine made from Bordeaux grapes blended with citrus liqueurs and quinine. The original Vesper recipe called for Kina Lillet, which had a higher quinine content and a more bitter profile than modern Lillet Blanc. While Lillet Blanc is the standard modern substitution, some purists add a dash of quinine bitters or use Cocchi Americano for a flavour closer to the original Kina Lillet.

• What's the difference between a Vesper and a classic Martini?

  The primary differences lie in the base spirits and the modifier. A classic Martini typically uses either gin or vodka, paired with dry vermouth. The Vesper uniquely uses both gin and vodka as its base and replaces the dry vermouth with Lillet Blanc (originally Kina Lillet), resulting in a distinct flavour profile and origin story.