Vesper

Invented by James Bond (well Ian Flemming actually), the Vesper is a boozy Martini variation using both Gin and Vodka, with Lillet Blanc instead of Vermouth. The original recipe from Casino Royale calls for Kina Lillet instead of Lillet Blanc, but that doesn't look to be available anymore. James Bond also specifies that grain based Vodka be used rather than potato based, but seems to think this is splitting hairs.

If you're into Martinis, this one definitely needs to be put onto your menu, which is probably why you're here. Or maybe you slammed your ingredients into our cocktail search engine since you were wondering what to do with your Lillet Blanc. Either way, have fun with this classic James Bond cocktail.

Total Time 4

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

45 mL Gin the original recipe calls for Gordons, but use what you have
15 mL Vodka Grain based if you want to be like James Bond
7.5 mL Lillet Blanc
Garnish with a "large thin slice of lemon peel"

Instructions

Add Gin, Vodka, and Lillet Blanc to a cocktail shaker with lots of ice. Shake until very cold.
Strain into a Coupe glass.
Garnish and enjoy.

Notes

Latin for "evening", the name Vesper comes from another Casino Royale character, Vesper Lynd. Surprisingly, James Bond only orders this drink once, which is in Casino Royale. In further Bond adventures, he's more know for ordering a Martini with the famous line "shaken, not stirred."

Surprising how this drink has become so famous, having only had a brief appearance.

Here’s What Else We Have to Say About the Vesper Cocktail

Part Gin Martini, part Vodka Martini, and part its own thing, the Vesper is a great cocktail for lovers of Gin, Vodka, or Martinis in general. We like it because it’s so specific in ingredients, especially by specifying the Lillet Blanc. While technically Lillet Blanc is not a Vermouth, let a lone a Dry Vermouth, it’s pretty close. It’s a small change like this that would make this cocktail interesting, let alone the split in base spirit between Gin and Vodka. There’s a bit of pretense to it yes, but that’s also kind of the point! If you don’t happen to have Lillet Blanc on hand, you’re welcome to try a generic Dry Vermouth, but of course it will taste different and it will lack some of that pretense you’re looking for!

Is this a cocktail recipe that I can a few of at the same time?

Making two or three Vespers at the same time should be doable, just don’t overload your cocktail shaker. With anything shaken, it’s important that all the ingredients are actually shaken. It’s also important that the drink gets nice and cold before serving.

Will a Vesper be OK to make early and serve later?

That should work. Fresher is always better, but if you prepare a few of these cocktails and leave them in the fridge until your guests arrive, it shouldn’t be a problem.

When and where is the best time for a Vesper?

A Vesper is a great alternative to either a Gin or a Vodka Martini. When discussing the Gin Martini, we’ve noted that it’s a great way to sample different Gins. This is less so in the Vesper. The Vesper is more about the modifications to the standard Martini recipe than it is about the single ingredients in it. Because of this we’re not suggesting the Vesper for Gin sampling. Instead, we suggest the Vesper as a drink to have if everyone else is having a Martini and you want to change things up a little bit.

As we mentioned, the Vesper is a little bit pretentious, which we don’t think is necessarily a bad thing. It want to want to add a little pretense to things, this is also an excellent time for a Vesper!

Is the Vesper a strong cocktail?

The Vesper is only moderately stronger than a Gin or Vodka based Martini, but not strong enough to push it into “strong cocktail” category. Of course there’s nothing in the Vesper to dilute things down and lower the ABV percent of the cocktail, but that’s no different in many cocktail recipes. It’s not strong, it’s not weak, it’s just right in the middle. Take care though, cocktails are usually stronger than a lot of other alcoholic drinks.

What kind of music goes best with the Vesper?

Being James Bond’s signature cocktail, you need to pair the Vesper with a selection of theme songs from the James Bond films. As we all know, the theme song for the opening credits of each James Bond film is always iconic, so why not play those songs while you’re trying Bond’s drink? If you want to take things a little bit further, you can also enjoy a Vesper during a James Bond movie marathon! Or, if you want to go back to the original source, put your feet up with one of the many James Bond books and sip this cocktail while reading.

We have more cocktail recipes for you to try

We’d love it if you kept browsing cocktail recipes on our website. You’re welcome to browse in any way you like, but we’ve also provided some links to site sections we think you’ll like.

Top 10 Gin cocktail recipes: if you’re here for the Gin, take a look at our favourite Gin cocktail recipes!

Top 10 Vodka cocktail recipes: or maybe you’re here for the Vodka. In that case you’ll like our favourite Vodka cocktail recipes.

All Gin cocktail recipes: you’re also welcome to just browse all the Gin cocktail recipes we have to offer on the site. There’s a fair few.

All Vodka cocktail recipes: or, if it’s back to the Vodka, flip through everything we have to offer in the Vodka department.