Vesper Dry Martini

Classic/vintage · Hall of Fame and must know/try · Martini-style

4.5 191 ratings

Ingredients

How to make

Flavour profile

28.2% alc./vol. · 1.9 standard drinks · 192 calories

History

This spirit-forward cocktail, devoid of fruit juices, showcases its clarity best when stirred. Nevertheless, it is the one Martini for which a bartender should not correct a patron who, like James Bond, prefers theirs "shaken not stirred". Vespers benefit from shaking! This method introduces aeration, resulting in a colder, more diluted drink compared to stirring. Surprisingly, shaking a Martini also intensifies the aromatics of the vermouth. Shaking imparts a slightly cloudy appearance and may leave minute ice fragments on the drink's surface. While the cloudiness affects the visual appeal, the ice shards can be removed with a fine strainer during pouring.

A cocktail named "Vesper" is documented in William "Cocktail Bill" Boothby's "World's Drinks And How To Mix Them," published posthumously in 1934. However, this Vesper differs significantly from the modern interpretation, which is a variation of the Dry Martini made famous by James Bond's "shaken, not stirred" mantra. VESPER Gin .......... ½ jigger Noyau .......... ¼ jigger Orange ..........1 spoon Bitters .......... 2 drops Shake well with ice into chilled cocktail glass and serve. The Vesper Martini, as it is widely known today, originated from the imagination of author Ian Fleming. It gained significant renown when he featured it in "Casino Royale," his inaugural James Bond novel, released in 1953. Within chapter seven of the novel, Bond instructs a Casino bartender on the precise preparation and presentation of the drink. His words are: "In a deep champagne goblet. 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 slice of lemon peel." Upon tasting the finished cocktail, Bond praises the bartender but suggests it would be superior if made with a grain-based vodka. He later discusses his Martini creation with Felix Leiter, a CIA operative, stating, "This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I can think of a good name." In chapter eight, Bond encounters the compelling agent Vesper Lynd. She shares the origin of her name, and Bond inquires if she would object to him naming his preferred Martini after her. As is often the case with Bond's romantic interests, Vesper is revealed to be a double agent, and the novel concludes with Bond's somber declaration, "The bitch is dead now." The Vesper Martini's considerable fame stems directly from its prominent role in "Casino Royale." Although Bond would go on to consume other mixed drinks throughout the series, his preference for "shaken not stirred" left a lasting impression, particularly amplified by the film adaptations. The question remains: where did Ian Fleming, the creator of Bond, discover the Vesper? Or was it purely a product of his fictional narrative? The Vesper is essentially a Dry Martini enhanced with vodka, intended to soften the pronounced juniper notes of the gin. It is noteworthy that vodka began appearing more frequently in Martinis around the time Fleming incorporated the cocktail into his first Bond novel in 1952. In fact, the earliest known mention of a Vodka Martini predates this by one year, appearing in Ted Saucier's "Bottoms Up" book. What is the origin of the name 'Vesper'? This potent cocktail, favored by the most famous English spy, is not, as one might assume, named after an underperforming Italian scooter. Fleming composed the initial draft of "Casino Royale" in early 1952 at his Goldeneye estate, which overlooks Oracabessa Bay on Jamaica's northern coast. The estate, named after a wartime operation Fleming helped to plan, served as his sanctuary, and friends would visit him there during his winter stays. It is understood that Fleming would serve his guests a rum-based cocktail known as 'Vespers.' Whether this drink was Fleming's own invention or one he encountered on the island or elsewhere is not documented. However, the name 'Vesper' might be linked to his background in Naval Intelligence. During World War II, Fleming was enlisted by Rear Admiral John Godfrey, who headed the Royal Navy's Naval Intelligence division, to serve as his personal assistant. While serving as a Naval Intelligence Officer, Fleming met Christine Granville, a highly accomplished British secret agent who operated behind enemy lines. Born Krystyna Skarbek in Poland, she employed numerous codenames throughout her service with the Special Operations Executive (SOE). According to Henry Chancellor's book, "James Bond: The Man and His World," one of her aliases was "Vésperale." There are accounts suggesting Fleming had a brief romantic involvement with Christine Granville (also known as Vésperale), making it highly probable that she inspired the character of Vesper Lynd and, consequently, the Vesper Martini named in her honor. Kina Lillet Fleming's original Vesper recipe calls for: "In a deep champagne goblet. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet." This specification includes a juniper-forward London Dry gin, vodka, and a now-discontinued aperitif wine called Kina Lillet. The unavailability of this specific aperitif wine presents a challenge for replicating an authentic Bond-esque Vesper, though alternative kina-flavored wines can be used as substitutes for Kina Lillet.