This one is for my James Bond fans!
You all out there? This is a very easy drink that will also impress, the Vesper Martini with a slight tweak. Especially if you put it in a sexy glass as I did and make bedroom eyes at someone while you make it. Or set up a mirror and make your bedroom eyes at yourself babe. You hella deserve it!
So What’s In a Vesper?
It’s a martini that contains gin, vodka, and Lillet that was popularized by the James Bond franchise. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond and author of the books, created a cocktail recipe in the novel, Casino Royale in 1953, which Bond names after Vesper, his love interest. The “Vesper martini” became very popular after the novel’s publication and gave rise to the famous “shaken, not stirred” catchphrase immortalized in the Bond films. The actual name for the drink (as well as its complete recipe) is uttered on screen for the first time in the 2006 adaptation of Casino Royale.
‘A dry martini,’ he said. ‘One. In a deep champagne goblet.’
‘Oui, monsieur.’
‘Just a moment. 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?’
‘Certainly monsieur.’ The barman seemed pleased with the idea.
‘Gosh, that’s certainly a drink,’ said Leiter.
Bond laughed. ‘When I’m … er … concentrating,’ he explained, ‘I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold, and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink’s my own invention. I’m going to patent it when I think of a good name.’
— Casino Royale, Chapter 7: Rouge et Noir
So what’s in a St. Vesper?
I like to swap out the Lillet with St. Germain. It’s a little sweeter and more floral whereas when you use Lillet it’s herbal. I’d suggest this for people who don’t like martinis but like alcohol? Is there a cross-section of that kind of person? Also, my version is STIRRED not shaken. Because shaking dilutes the cocktail overall but I am not gonna stop from being your Bond self.
FUN FACT: James Bond is not super Christmas-y but there is a Dr. Christmas Jones, who is a fictional nuclear physicist who appeared in the 1999 James Bond film The World is Not Enough. She is played by Denise Richards.
St. Vesper Martini
A Vesper Martini with the vermouth swapped for St Germain will give you this floral and refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients
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2 oz Roku Gin
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0.75 oz Headwind Vodka
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0.25 oz St. Germain
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1 Lemon peel
Directions
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Place your glass into the fridge with ice to chill it.
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In a mixing glass, add the gin, vodka, and St. Germain.
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Add enough ice to cover and stir for about 5-10 seconds until the mixture is well chilled.
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Strain the mixture into your coupe glass.
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Slice off a bit of lemon peel and express the lemon onto the top of the cocktail and then wipe the rim of the glass with the outside of the peel and drop the peel into the drink or discard and cut a new peel for a prettier finish.
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Cheers babe!
KK
