Shaking, after all, may be bad for the ‘ice chips’ and the ‘bruising’ of some spirits, but it is good for the opening of flavour in Vermouth, so personal preference, and a bit of inhabiting the story should be encouraged.įor serious attempts at a replication, mixologists should aim for a London Dry Gin with around 47% ABV (94-proof), the original strength of Gordon’s Gin in the 1950’s, before its alcohol level was reduced in 1974. Or more accurately, when making a ‘James Bond 007’ cocktail, why not keep the theater. Flemming (and the character Bond) had an interest in shaking cocktails that normally don’t get shaken, but when in Rome. The closest we have today is Lillet Blanc, without the quinine. Well Kina Lillet was available for 100-years, from 1887 to 1986, and contained the bitter ingredient quinine, commonly found in Tonic Water. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.” James Bond provides the recipe in his instructions to the bartender, “three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. HISTORICAL NOTES – The ‘Vesper’, or ‘Vesper Martini’ was invented by author Ian Flemming in the pages of his 1953 James Bond 007 novel ‘Casino Royale’ (which he wrote in 1952 at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica), and named for the fictional double-agent Vesper Lynd. Mix of Locktail #062 – James Bond 007’s Vesper Martini (in his original quantities).
