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Summer Vesper

Contrary to popular belief, James Bond drank more than the infamous Vodka Martini "shaken, not stirred"; The Vesper was invented and named by fictional secret agent James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale.

"A dry martini," [Bond] said. "One. In a deep champagne goblet."
"Oui, monsieur."
"Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?"
"Certainly, monsieur." The barman seemed pleased with the idea.
"Gosh, that's certainly a drink," said Leiter.
Bond laughed. "When I'm...er...concentrating," he explained, "I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I can think of a good name."
—Ian Fleming, Casino Royale, Chapter 7, "Rouge et Noir'

Ingredients[]

  • 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) Lillet Blanc aperitif wine
  • 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) vodka
  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) gin
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 (3/4-inch-thick) strip lemon peel

Preparation[]

In cocktail shaker, combine Lillet Blanc, vodka, and gin.

  • Add ice and shake vigorously until well chilled, about 30 seconds.
  • Strain into chilled martini or coupe glass.
  • Squeeze lemon peel over glass, making sure oils fall into glass, then brush peel along outer lip of glass, drop peel in drink, and serve.
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