The Sophisticated Vesper: A Cocktail Fit for James Bond

The Vesper martini is a sophisticated and iconic drink made famous by James Bond in his first ever novel, Casino Royale.  This martini is a balance of gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc, a French aperitif, creating a dry and citrusy cocktail with a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces gin (ideally a London Dry Gin for a classic flavor profile)
• 1 ounce vodka
• ½ ounce Lillet Blanc (or dry vermouth as a substitute)
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions (makes 1 drink):

1. For an authentic presentation, use a chilled martini glass. The easiest way to achieve this is to place it in the freezer for 15 minutes or fill it with ice and water for a few minutes. Discard the ice and water before building your drink.
2. In a mixing glass filled with ice,  add the gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc. Stir gently for about 20 seconds, until the drink is well chilled and diluted. While the original recipe calls for shaking, stirring is the traditional martini method and creates a smoother texture.  Purists can opt for a short shake (about 10 seconds) for a slightly frothier drink.
3. Double strain the Vesper martini into your chilled glass to ensure a smooth texture.
4. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink by squeezing it gently over the glass and then discarding the peel.

Tips:

• Lillet Blanc is a key ingredient, but if you can't find it, you can substitute dry vermouth. However, dry vermouth is drier and less floral than Lillet Blanc, so the flavor profile of your Vesper will be slightly different.
• A good quality London Dry Gin is ideal for this recipe. It will provide the juniper-forward base that the Vesper is known for.
• In the original recipe, James Bond calls for Kina Lillet, a specific type of Lillet Blanc that is no longer produced. Lillet Blanc is considered a good substitute, but you can experiment with other aperitifs like Cocchi Americano for a slightly different flavor twist.
• The Lillet Blanc adds a touch of sweetness to the drink. If you prefer a drier martini, you can reduce the amount to ¼ ounce.

Enjoy this iconic Vesper martini! As you sip this delightful cocktail, imagine yourself saving the world, just like James Bond.