This cocktail, better known for its very particular “shaken not stirred” instructions was first introduced by James Bond in the 1953 Ian Fleming novel Casino Royale. In line with his anti-establishment ways, Bond’s version of the traditional Martini cocktail undergoes a make-over. He specifies both gin and vodka (rather than just one or the other), Kina-Lillet (golden vermouth infused with quinine), lemon peel as a garnish instead of the olive, and as for the “shaken vs stirred” instructions – though the traditional Martini is indeed stirred so as not to dilute the drink with ice crystals, I think in light of the quantity of alcohol present in the Vesper (see quantities below) it is understandable that Bond would have watered it down a little. This cocktail is named after Vesper Lynd female lead character in the novel.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice pour in 3 measures/80ml (or 40ml*) Gordon’s Gin, 1 measure/30ml Stoli vodka (or 15ml*), ½ measure/15ml Lillet Blanc (or 1 tsp) Vermouth, 5 drops of Angostura bitters (to substitute for the original Kina-Lillet, which is no longer manufactured, and which included bitter quinine). Shake till well-chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass (Bond specified a deep champagne goblet) and garnish with a twist of lemon peel. 

* Note that I have included the original measures as detailed in the book (and film of the same name) however these quantities are likely to kill a real person, so I have also included a slightly more reasonable half-quantity measure!

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