Vesper Drink Recipe

Vesper drink recipe
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57 ratings
6 comments
Nutrition Information† ‡

Serving size: 1 drink

Calories
265
Fat
0.0 g
Carbs
0 g
Protein
0 g
† Show full nutrition facts

Ingredients

  • 3 oz. Gin (Gordon's London Dry)
  • 1/2 oz. Lillet
  • 1 oz. Vodka
  • 1 twist Lemon

How to Make It

  1. Shake everything with ice.
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist, and run it around the edge of the glass.

This is the martini ordered by James Bond in Ian Fleming's novel, Casino Royale. Bond tells the bartender, "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?"

Kina Lillet is no longer available, and is generally replaced with Lillet Blanc for a modern Vesper cocktail.

Comments on Vesper

  • Grindercb
    Jan 15th, 2020
    Kina Lillet is no longer available but there are substitutes for the quinine flavor that Kina added to the Vesper. You can use Lillet Blanc which is sweeter than Kina Lillet but add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters per ounce of Lillet Blanc. You can also use an equal amount of Amaro Angeleno as a substitute for Kina Lillet.
  • Ed
    Apr 4th, 2013
    Cocchi Americano is said to be a deliberate attempt to recreate the old Kina Lillet recipe. There is also an issue of the strength of the gin. Gordon's has dropped from 94 proof to 80 proof since the book was written. Some use Tanqueray instead due to its higher alcohol content. As for the vodka, Bond seems to prefer grain vodka to potato.
  • Grindercb
    Jan 4th, 2011
    You are definitely NOT a true James Bond fan if you've never made or ordered one of these. Very tasty to say the least. More refreshing IMO than a standard Martini.
  • The Yorkshire Guzzler
    May 27th, 2010
    I had 6 or 7 of these on holiday last year and it was the most drunk i have ever been without throwing up. You're technically supposed to burn the lemon peel a little bit to release the oils but if you do it too much its like drinking lemon oven cleaner so I wouldn't advise doing that yourself
  • Anonymous Coward
    Jul 18th, 2009
    Currently available Lillet makes for a nice drink, but it doesn't have the bitter taste of the Kina Lillet. I've found the Matin variation made with Campari awfully good.
  • The Porch Slurper
    Dec 29th, 2008
    Go out and buy a bottle of Lillet (white) and make this now! You can't be disappointed. Very very tasty and worth the little bit of trouble it may take to assemble the ingredients. Don't forget the lemon twist. This cocktail is sure to make your top ten favorites.

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