Invented by Ian Fleming for James Bond in Casino Royale (1953).
Why you are pouring this tonight
The Vesper is the Martini Ian Fleming wrote into Casino Royale in 1953 and that James Bond ordered the way every man with a strong opinion about drinks since has wished he could. Three measures of gin, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet, shaken until ice-cold, served in a deep champagne goblet with a thin slice of lemon peel. Bond was specific.
Kina Lillet does not exist anymore. The closest substitute is Cocchi Americano, which is almost identical (slightly more bitter, slightly less floral). Lillet Blanc works at a pinch but is sweeter than the original. Use a London Dry gin (Tanqueray or Beefeater) and a clean wheat or rye vodka (Belvedere is right). Shaken, not stirred, despite what every cocktail bartender in the world will tell you, because Fleming wrote it that way and we are not about to second-guess the man. Lemon peel, not olive. Pair with the kind of dinner where somebody loses something they care about.
What changes from the Martini
Gin PLUS vodka. Lillet Blanc instead of dry vermouth. Shaken, not stirred.
What to pour it alongside
Caviar, oysters, anything cold and expensive.
The recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Add gin, vodka and Lillet to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 10-12 seconds.
- Fine-strain into a chilled coupe.
- Garnish with a long thin strip of lemon peel.
Nutrition
Want the classic? Our Martini recipe is here.
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