The Vesper is a fascinating cocktail. Compared to the gin martini, it has a slightly sweet, bitter taste contributed by Lillet, while the vodka tames the gin's botanicals. It's a drink that both gin and vodka drinkers can appreciate and fun to tweak to your personal taste.

How much alcohol is in a Vesper?

Bond says: “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?”

Why is it called a Vesper?

The Vesper, also known as the Vesper Martini, was made famous by James Bond. The cocktail was invented by none other than Bond author Ian Fleming. The drink first appeared in his book “Casino Royale,” which was published in 1953, and the cocktail is named for the fictional double agent Vesper Lynd.

What is a martini shaken not stirred?

The author used the line "stirred not shaken" to add yet another facet to Bond's cool image. If a Martini is shaken, the alcohol becomes "bruised", which detracts from the desired flavour - something which agent 007 would of course immediately notice and be suitably repulsed by.

What is Lillet?

For the uninitiated, Lillet (pronounced lee-LAY) is a French aromatized aperitif wine made with a blend of Bordeaux grapes and fortified with a blend of citrus liqueurs.

What does Lillet taste like?

What does Lillet Blanc taste like? Lillet Blanc is crisp and light, with subtle floral, herbal and citrus notes. It tastes like a semi-sweet white vermouth with intriguing herbal notes on the finish. It's light, refreshing, and incredibly versatile for mixing into cocktails.

Is a Vesper Shaken or stirred?

The Vesper martini is “shaken, not stirred,” just like that famous line from James Bond. Here's the actual instruction from James Bond for the Vesper: “Three measures of Gordon's (gin), 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.

Was Vesper a double agent?

However, she is secretly a double agent working for Quantum, the terrorist organization MI6 is trying to stop. She is an unwilling traitor however; she is only helping Quantum because they have taken her lover Yusef Kabira hostage and threatened to kill him if she does not cooperate.

Why is vodka in a Vesper?

The Vesper is a fascinating cocktail. Compared to the gin martini, it has a slightly sweet, bitter taste contributed by Lillet, while the vodka tames the gin's botanicals. It's a drink that both gin and vodka drinkers can appreciate and fun to tweak to your personal taste.

Did James Bond drink vodka or gin martinis?

Although there is a lot of discussion on the Vesper, it is only ordered once throughout Fleming's novels and by later books Bond is ordering regular vodka martinis, though he also drinks regular gin martinis. In total, Bond orders 19 vodka martinis and 16 gin martinis throughout Fleming's novels and short stories.

What is the martini in Casino Royale?

The 'Vesper Martini' is the famous drink ordered by James Bond in both the book and the movie Casino Royale. The recipe for Bond's "Vesper" martini, as described in the 1953 book: 'Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet.

Can you make a Vesper without Lillet?

Lillet Blanc is available, but Kina Lillet included quinine (hence its name). Cocchi Americano can be used as a substitute because has a more bitter finish than if you use Lillet Blanc. For a more traditional flavor, 100 proof vodka should be used to bring the alcohol content of the cocktail back to 1953 levels.

Is the Vesper a dry martini?

This particular style of Dry Martini is always shaken, an action that aerates the drink, makes it colder, and more dilute than simply stirring. It also gives the drink a slightly clouded appearance and can leave small shards of ice on the surface of the drink.

Why is a Vesper shaken?

Here's why shaking a Vesper actually makes sense: It's a giant, booze-forward drink. The added dilution from shaking may make it more palatable, especially if you're not accustomed to spirit-forward cocktails. But you'll definitely want to fine strain the drink to avoid those pesky little ice shards that float on top.

What is a dirty martini?

"Dirty" simply refers to the addition of olive juice or brine. It's a classic cocktail that is very easy to mix up and one of the most popular variations on the original gin martini. You can make this drink as dirty as you like by pouring the olive juice to suit your taste.

Is Kina Lillet still available?

There is no longer a Kina Lillet, the aromatized wine that gives the Vesper its distinctive, bitter edge. I find it incredibly sad that this is the case. There are many early 20th-century cocktails that contain Kina Lillet, including the Vesper and the Corpse Reviver.

What is a wet martini?

WET. Fittingly enough, the opposite of a dry Martini is a wet Martini. This mode of preparation has fallen out of fashion in recent years, but there's no shame in ordering it. 'Wet' simply means that there's a higher percentage of vermouth, with a typical ratio being 3 parts gin to 1 part vermouth.

How do the French drink Lillet?

The French often drink Lillet by itself, chilled neat or on the rocks, just as many Italians would enjoy a vermouth. But straight-up, Lillet is more delicate than a white vermouth, tasting much more like a wine. You can see why many French enjoy a small glass of Lillet, with 17 percent alcohol, after work.

What is Pimm's?

Pimm's is an English brand of gin-based fruit cup but may also be considered a liqueur or the basis of a sling or punch. It was first produced in 1823 by James Pimm and has been owned by Diageo since 1997. Its most popular product is Pimm's No. 1 Cup.

What does absinthe taste like?

Absinthe is on the list of spirits that taste a bit like black licorice, thanks to the flavor extracted from herbs such as anise and fennel. The best quality absinthes have just a hint of licorice flavor.

What liquor is amaretto?

Amaretto is a popular Italian almond-flavored liqueur.

It's nutty, sweet, and got a little vibe of the 1970's: it's amaretto! This popular almond-flavored liqueur has been made in Italy for centuries, and it's used in both desserts and cocktails.

What is bruised gin?

So when you agitate gin — say by shaking it for a martini — you're causing the top notes to dissipate. Those bits of pine and botanicals that you look forward to start breaking down and become dull. The end result: A cocktail that's nowhere near as crisp as it should be. “This is what we call bruising,” Stewart said.

What does aperol taste like?

Aperol, lower on the bitter scale than Campari, has a bright-orange hue. Its flavor is most closely associated with rhubarb, bitter herbs and burnt orange, and its higher sugar content makes it sweeter and more approachable to bitter neophytes.