Learn how to make this ever popular cocktail, made famous by James Bond himself! Well..that’s almost true!
A Vodka Martini usually contains only Vodka and dry Vermouth, but as readers of Ian Flemings’ Casino Royale will know, the drink 007 ordered contained Gin and Kina Lillet and was actually referred to as a “Vesper”-named after the character of the same name.
Vodka Martini
- 1½ measure Vodka (Preferably Russian)
- ¾ measure Dry Vermouth
Measure out the pre-chilled ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with crushed ice. Shake well-about 8 times should be enough to chill the drink without diluting it. Strain into a Martini glass and garnish with an olive if desired.
If you would like to experiment with your own variations, why not try using a flavoured Vodka such as Absolut Raspberri?
Vesper
Measure out the pre-chilled ingredients into a ice filled cocktail shaker and shake until ice cold. Strain into a Martini glass and decorate with a large thin slice of lemon peel.
Kina Lillet ( known as Lillet blanc since the 1960’s) is not a vermouth as used in a standard Vodka Martini; it is an aperitif consisting of a blend of fruit liqueurs.
In The Book Of Bond, the author Kingsley Amis speculated that Fleming had made an error inventing the recipe as at the time, the quinine content of the Kina Lillet would have made the drink very bitter. Fortunately the recipe of Lillet blanc has been altered since then giving the cocktail a more fruity orange flavour.
Lillet Blanc can be hard to find but can be bought online from the following sites:
The Drink Shop (UK)
Morrell Wine (USA)
Image: Flickr user geishaboy500
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