{"id":58134,"date":"2025-04-16T16:36:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T20:36:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gentologie.com\/?p=58134"},"modified":"2026-05-31T09:42:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T13:42:15","slug":"the-vesper-martini-james-bond-other-martini","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gentologie.com\/en\/fine-dining\/wines-and-spirits\/spirits\/cocktails\/the-vesper-martini-james-bond-other-martini\/","title":{"rendered":"The Vesper Martini: James Bond\u2019s Other Martini"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When people think of James Bond and his martini, the iconic phrase \u201cshaken, not stirred\u201d instantly comes to mind. What many don\u2019t know is that his first cocktail love was actually\u2026 the Vesper Martini<\/strong>. Situated halfway between strength and elegance, this legendary drink deserves far more than a passing glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Origins of the Vesper Martini<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The famous excerpt from the recipe for Vesper Martini
Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Vesper Martini first appears in Casino Royale<\/em>, the very first James Bond novel published in 1953. Inspired by Ian Fleming\u2019s friend Ivar Bryce, the cocktail is introduced during a memorable exchange between Bond and American agent Felix Leiter. Since the 2006 release of the Casino Royale<\/em> film, it has experienced a major comeback in bars around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dialogue that unveils this special Martini takes place when Bond meets CIA agent Felix Leiter for the first time at the Casino in Royale-les-Eaux, a fictional town in France, supposedly located just north of Dieppe (though it\u2019s believed to be based on Deauville or Le Touquet), as they prepare for a game of Baccarat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bond had a feeling that this might be the CIA man. He knew he was right as they strolled off together towards the bar, after Bond had thrown a plaque of ten mille to the croupier and had given a mille to the huissier who drew back his chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy name\u2019s Felix Leiter,\u201d said the American. \u201cGlad to meet you.\u201d
\u201cMine\u2019s Bond\u2014James Bond.\u201d
\u201cOh yes,\u201d said his companion, \u201cand now let\u2019s see. What shall we have to celebrate?\u201d
Bond insisted on ordering Leiter\u2019s Haig-and-Haig on the rocks and then he looked carefully at the barman.
\u201cA dry martini,\u201d he said. \u201cOne. In a deep champagne goblet.\u201d
\u201cOui, monsieur.\u201d
\u201cJust a moment. Three measures of Gordon\u2019s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it\u2019s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel. Got it?\u201d
\u201cCertainly, monsieur.\u201d The barman seemed pleased with the idea.
\u201cGosh, that\u2019s certainly a drink,\u201d said Leiter.
Bond laughed. \u201cWhen I\u2019m… er… concentrating,\u201d he explained, \u201cI 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\u2019s my own invention. I\u2019m going to patent it when I can think of a good name.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As for the name, here\u2019s another excerpt that sheds some light:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As they deciphered the maze of purple ink which covered the double folio menu, Bond beckoned to the sommelier. He turned to his companion.
\u201cHave you decided?\u201d
\u201cI would love a glass of vodka,\u201d she said simply, and went back to her study of the menu.
\u201cA small carafe of vodka, very cold,\u201d ordered Bond. He said to her abruptly: \u201cI can\u2019t drink the health of your new frock without knowing your Christian name.\u201d
\u201cVesper,\u201d she said. \u201cVesper Lynd.\u201d
Bond gave her a look of inquiry.
\u201cIt\u2019s rather a bore always having to explain, but I was born in the evening, on a very stormy evening according to my parents. Apparently they wanted to remember it.\u201d She smiled. \u201cSome people like it, others don\u2019t. I\u2019m just used to it.\u201d
\u201cI think it\u2019s a fine name,\u201d said Bond. An idea struck him.
\u201cCan I borrow it?\u201d He explained about the special martini he had invented and his search for a name for it. \u201cThe Vesper,\u201d he said. \u201cIt sounds perfect and it\u2019s very appropriate to the violet hour when my cocktail will now be drunk all over the world. Can I have it?\u201d
\u201cSo long as I can try one first,\u201d she promised. \u201cIt sounds a drink to be proud of.\u201d
\u201cWe\u2019ll have one together when all this is finished,\u201d said Bond. \u201cWin or lose. And now have you decided what you would like to have for dinner? Please be expensive,\u201d he added as he sensed her hesitation, \u201cor you\u2019ll let down that beautiful frock.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

So, it\u2019s a bit different from the movie, but that\u2019s the original story behind the name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vesper\u2019s Revival<\/h3>\n\n\n
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The Vesper Martini and a deck of James Bond Playing Cards from Theory Eleven of James Bond<\/a>
Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As mentioned, the story in the book differs from the 2006 Casino Royale<\/em> film starring Daniel Craig as Bond and Eva Green as Vesper Lynd. Yet, her mere presence has since propelled the Vesper back into the spotlight\u2014just like the Martini<\/a>, which ranked first among the most popular cocktails of 2024 according to the Bartender Spirits Awards (take a look here)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Alcohol Content in the Vesper Martini<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Gordon's
Gordon’s Gin is a classic, shown here in its international bottle.
Photo : Normand Boulanger | Gentologie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Many sources debate the exact alcohol content of the Vesper. While Felix notes that it\u2019s a strong drink, he\u2019s not wrong\u2014it contains about 4\u00bd oz of alcohol. At the time Fleming wrote the recipe, Gordon\u2019s Gin had an ABV of 47.4%, much higher than today\u2019s standard. That\u2019s on par with modern gins like Monkey 47 or Tanqueray No. 10 (which, with its citrus notes, might make a great substitute). Gordon\u2019s, in fact, was once produced in the same facility as Tanqueray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add vodka\u2014likely 40\u201350% ABV back then\u2014and you\u2019re left with a seriously potent drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did You Know: Shaken, Not Stirred?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The Vesper Martini
Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Why, like many gin Martini lovers, does Bond prefer it \u201cshaken, not stirred\u201d? Shaking not only chills the cocktail but dilutes it, incorporating melted ice into the drink. This not only softens the alcohol\u2019s intensity but explains the need for high-quality ice. So in a way, this method slightly lowers the drink\u2019s strength\u2014making it smoother but still bold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happened to Kina Lillet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kina Lillet, the original ingredient in the Vesper, was discontinued in 1986 due to its quinine content. In the early 1970s, Lillet dropped the word \u201cKina\u201d from its branding, as the term had become generic among quinine-based aperitifs (Wikipedia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1985, Lillet was reformulated in collaboration with the University of Bordeaux\u2019s Institute of Oenology to modernize the recipe and reduce both bitterness and sweetness (Wikipedia). As a result, today\u2019s version makes for a less bitter Vesper compared to the 1953 version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some bartenders replace Kina Lillet with Kina L\u2019A\u00e9ro d\u2019Or<\/a>, a Swiss product not yet available in Quebec at the time of writing. Others use Cocchi Americano Bianco. You can also infuse 75 ml of Lillet Blanc with powdered quinine for a similar effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vesper Martini Recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The Vesper Martini ready to be enjoyed
Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It\u2019s a simple recipe that requires minimal equipment: a shaker and a Martini glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n