Vespers (cocktail)
Vesper , often also The Vesper , is a cocktail made from gin , vodka , and Kina Lillet . It is a variant of martinis and tastes slightly bitter due to the Kina Lillet. The author Ian Fleming invented the cocktail for his fictional character James Bond , who ordered it in the 1953 novel Casino Royale . Bond later names the drink after a woman named Vesper Lynd , with whom he fell in love.
Since 2011 the cocktail has been included in the list of Official IBA Cocktails of the International Bartenders Association under the "Contemporary Classics". This recipe consists of 4.5 cl gin, 1.5 cl vodka and 0.75 cl Lillet Blonde [sic]. The ingredients are shaken on ice and (without ice) strained into a pre-chilled cocktail bowl, decorated with a thin spiral made of lemon peel.
In the novel, the recipe is noted a little differently:
- 3 parts Gordon's Gin
- 1 part vodka
- 1/2 part Kina Lillet
“'A dry martini,' he [Bond] said. 'One - in a deep champagne flute.'
'Oui, monsieur.'
,One moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one measure of vodka and half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake well until it's ice cold and then add a long thin piece of lemon zest. Notice? '
'Certainly, monsieur.' The barman seemed to be enthusiastic about the recipe.
'Hell, that's a drink,' said Leiter.
Bond laughed. 'When I - uh - concentrate,' he explained, 'I never drink more than one glass before dinner - but it has to be big, very strong, very cold and well done. For me, there is nothing worse than small portions of whatever, especially if they taste bad. This drink is my own invention. I'll have it patented when I can think of a good name. '"
In the 2006 film adaptation , Bond lets the barman come to the gaming table and literally orders: “A dry martini!” The barman says “Oui Monsieur!” And is about to turn to leave when Bond adds: “Wait. With three parts of Gordon's, one part of vodka, a shot of Kina Lillet; shake it with ice and add a strip of lemon zest. ” The other players join in part of his order, with Leiter adding, “ My friend, bring me one too, but without the vegetables! ” (“ keep the fruit "). The preparation of the drink is not shown. Bond later tries the drink at the bar from a classic Y-shaped martini glass and thinks: “Well, that's not bad at all. I have to think of a name for it. ” He looks at Vesper Lynd (played by Eva Green ).
Variants and a modern recipe
Today a martini glass is usually used instead of the champagne flute, these are now larger than in 1953. In addition, the drink is often stirred and not shaken so that it stays clear. Some adjustments are necessary to the ingredients. The original Kina Lillet is practically no longer available today, as the recipe was heavily modified in 1986 and the Lillet Blanc that has been produced since then tastes much less bitter. As a substitute, Lillet Blanc can be mixed 1: 1 with the China Martini, which is rarely available in Germany . The bitter taste of Kina Lillet can also be added to Lillet Blanc by adding a few splashes of Angostura , orange bitters and a pinch of quinine powder . For example, Stolichnaya Blue can be used for the alcohol content and taste of rye-based vodkas of that time. Gordon's Gin has since been changed several times in the recipe, so a Tanqueray London Dry is recommended today . Some Bond fans prefer Boodle's British Gin, named after Boodle's, a gentlemen's club of which Ian Fleming was a member. By using absinthe instead of the Kina Lillet you get the variant Green Vesper .
Individual evidence
- ^ IBA Official Cocktails on the official website of the International Bartenders Association , accessed November 30, 2011.
- ↑ VESPER. Retrieved May 20, 2020 .