Vesper Martini
The Vesper Martini, made famous by James Bond in Ian Fleming's 'Casino Royale', is an elegant cocktail that combines the robustness of gin with the smoothness of vodka and a hint of sweetness from Lillet Blanc. This modern twist on the classic martini offers an intriguing balance of flavors that delight and excite the senses with every sip.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler style)
- Fine mesh strainer
- Chilled martini glass or coupe glass
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Vegetable peeler or channel knife (for lemon twist)
Ingredients
Base Spirits
- 2 oz gin 60ml, preferably a robust London Dry gin
- 1 oz vodka 30ml, choose a quality vodka for smoother taste
- 0.5 oz Lillet Blanc 15ml, a French aperitif wine
- 2 cups ice cubes enough to fill shaker halfway
Garnish
- 1 strip lemon peel approximately 3 inches / 7cm long, freshly peeled for aroma and zest
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice cubes generously to fill it halfway. The well-chilled shaker is crucial for this drink's crispness.2 cups ice cubes
- Pour in 2 oz (60ml) London Dry gin, 1 oz (30ml) vodka, and 0.5 oz (15ml) Lillet Blanc.2 oz gin, 1 oz vodka, 0.5 oz Lillet Blanc
- Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the mixture is well chilled. The shaking should aerate and slightly dilute the drink, key to achieving its smooth texture.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled martini glass or coupe to remove ice shards and ensure a silky-smooth texture.
- Gently twist a lemon peel over the glass to release essential oils, then drop it into the glass as a garnish.1 strip lemon peel
Notes
Storage: A Vesper must be served immediately after shaking — there is no way to store a finished cocktail. You can pre-batch the spirits (2 oz gin, 1 oz vodka, 0.5 oz Lillet Blanc per serving) in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to 24 hours before shaking.
Make-Ahead: Chill your martini glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before serving. This keeps the drink colder longer and improves the experience noticeably.
Substitution: If Lillet Blanc is unavailable, Cocchi Americano is the closest substitute — it has the quinine bitterness that the original Kina Lillet had and modern Lillet Blanc lacks.
Pro Tip: Shake with large, solid ice cubes rather than crushed ice. Larger cubes chill the drink without over-diluting it, giving you a stronger, more balanced Vesper.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.03gFat: 0.01gSodium: 25mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.04mg
We'd love to know if you enjoyed this recipeRate this Recipe !
