French 75
The French 75 has a bright, effervescent taste with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. The combination of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup creates a tangy, refreshing base, while the champagne adds a luxurious, bubbly finish.
Vesper Martini Cocktail Recipe
Jump to Recipe ⬇️
Vesper Martini Nutrition Facts
Calories:230
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:0g
Alcohol:22%
Created by
Nic Polotnianko
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
Contents
History
The Vesper Martini was first introduced in Ian Fleming's 1953 novel, Casino Royale, where James Bond famously requests the drink to be 'shaken, not stirred'. The cocktail was named after Bond's love interest, Vesper Lynd. It has since become a classic cocktail, enjoyed by many who appreciate its unique combination of ingredients and strong, sophisticated taste.
- Created by Ian Fleming in the 1950s
- Named after a character in Casino Royale
- A classic cocktail with a strong, sophisticated taste
How Vesper Martini Tastes?
The Vesper Martini has a strong, bold, and slightly bitter taste with a smooth, silky finish. The combination of gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc creates a complex, well-balanced flavor profile that is both refreshing and invigorating.
Interesting facts about Vesper Martini
- The Vesper Martini was originally made with Kina Lillet, which is no longer available. Lillet Blanc is now used as a substitute.
- The cocktail is sometimes referred to as the 'James Bond Martini' due to its association with the famous spy.
- The Vesper Martini is traditionally garnished with a lemon twist, adding a touch of citrus to the overall flavor.
Ingredients
- Gin: 3 oz(90ml)
- Vodka: 1 oz(30ml)
- Lillet blanc: 0.5 oz(15ml)
- Lemon twist: 1
A few good options for Vesper Martini are:
- Grey Goose
- Belvedere
- Khor
- Smirnoff
A few good options for Vesper Martini are:
- Tanqueray Gin
- Roku Japanese Gin
Gin
- Why 3 oz?: Gin is the backbone of this drink, providing floral and botanical flavors. It's the dominant spirit in the cocktail, ensuring that the Vesper remains closer to its martini roots.
- Flavor and Effects: Gin's complex botanicals add depth. Without it, you'd lose the soul of the drink. Too much, and it might overpower the other ingredients.
- Alternatives: You could swap in a different gin for a twist on the profile, but avoid heavily flavored ones that could conflict with the vodka's cleanness.
Alex Green
Vodka
- Why 1 oz?: Vodka strengthens the drink without adding much flavor, keeping it potent but refined.
- Flavor and Effects: Provides a smooth backdrop. If omitted, the drink would be less robust. Too much can make it overly alcoholic without adding complexity.
- Alternatives: A flavored vodka could add a subtle twist but may steer the cocktail away from its classic taste.
Emma Rose
Lillet Blanc
- Why 0.5 oz?: Lillet Blanc offers a light, slightly sweet and citrusy counterbalance to the dryness of the gin and vodka.
- Flavor and Effects: It softens the drink's edges. Eliminate it, and the cocktail may be too sharp. Too much could make the drink overly sweet and wine-forward.
- Alternatives: The original recipe called for Kina Lillet, which is no longer available. You can substitute other aromatic white vermouths but expect a slightly different taste.
Mary Mitkina
Lemon Twist
- Why just a twist?: A hint of lemon oil from the twist gives a fresh, zesty finish and a fragrant nose without overwhelming the drink.
- Flavor and Effects: Adds aromatic brightness. Without it, the cocktail might feel a bit flat. An excessive amount could make it too citrusy.
- Alternatives: An orange twist could add a different citrus note, changing the aromatic dynamics but keeping the cocktail in the same family.
Alex Green
Recipe. How to make Vesper Martini Drink
- Fill a mixing glass with ice
- Add 3 oz of gin, 1 oz of vodka, and 0.5 oz of Lillet Blanc
- Stir the ingredients together until well chilled
- Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass
- Garnish with a lemon twist
Pro Tips
- Shake the cocktail to get a perfect blend of flavors.
- Use a high-quality gin for the best taste.
- Chill the martini glass before pouring the cocktail for a refreshing drink.
Perfect Pairings
Appetizers
- Sushi: The clean, crisp taste of the Vesper Martini cuts through the richness of the fish, particularly with fatty tuna.
- Oysters: The mineral quality of oysters complemented by the botanicals in gin makes for an exquisite match.
- Caviar: The salty pop of caviar on a blini is balanced by the smooth, strong flavors of the cocktail.
Main Courses
- Grilled Salmon: The Vesper's citrus notes will nicely enhance the charred flavors of the salmon.
- Chicken Piccata: The lemon twist garnish echoes the lemony sauce of the dish, providing a seamless pairing.
Cheeses
- Goat Cheese: The tanginess of goat cheese is a nice counterpoint to the herbal qualities of the martini.
🍹 Discover the Top 50 All-Time Recipes! 🍹
Enter your email, and we'll send the exclusive list straight to your inbox.
We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously
What you could change in Vesper Martini
- Gin: A good quality dry gin can be substituted.
- Vodka: You can use any clear vodka.
- Lillet Blanc: If not available, you can use a dry vermouth.
- Lemon twist: An orange twist can be used for a different flavor.
Explore all drinks starting with V here
And of course - twists🍹
Cucumber Vesper
- Ingredients: Substitute 0.5 oz of the gin with cucumber-infused gin.
- Recipe: Follow the original Vesper recipe but add the cucumber-infused gin with the vodka and Lillet Blanc.
- Taste: Adds a refreshing, cooling element that contrasts the alcohol's warmth, providing a garden-fresh twist.
Rosé Vesper
- Ingredients: Replace Lillet Blanc with a dry rosé wine.
- Recipe: Use the dry rosé wine in place of Lillet Blanc and mix as usual.
- Taste: This will add a floral and berry fruitiness to the cocktail, giving it a blush color and a more laid-back, summery vibe.
Amaro Vesper
- Ingredients: Add a bar spoon of Amaro to the classic recipe.
- Recipe: Include the Amaro with the other ingredients and stir.
- Taste: Introduces a bitter complexity that plays well with the botanical gin and smooth vodka, great for those looking for a bitter edge.
In case you forgot basics how to make Vesper Martini
Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainInsert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.
Learn everything on how to stirGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingFind the cocktail you'd love!
If you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
Completely free!
Frequently Asked Questions on Vesper Martini
What other cocktails are similar to the Vesper Martini?
The Vesper Martini is quite unique due to its blend of gin and vodka, but the classic Martini and the Dirty Martini are somewhat similar. They generally have gin and vermouth, and olives for garnish instead of a lemon twist.
Why is it important to use a high-quality gin in this cocktail?
High-quality gin has a more refined and complex flavor profile with a smoother finish. Using a superior gin can significantly improve the taste of the cocktail.
Why is the Vesper Martini shaken and not stirred?
Shaking a cocktail with ice can chill it more quickly, and also helps to meld the flavors together more completely. However, the line 'shaken, not stirred' is mostly famous due to its association with James Bond!
Can I prepare a non-alcoholic version of the Vesper Martini?
Yes, there are non-alcoholic versions of this cocktail, also known as 'mocktails'. You would substitute the alcoholic ingredients with non-alcoholic alternatives that mimic the flavour. For example, the gin could be replaced with a non-alcoholic botanical drink.
More similar recipes to Vesper Martini!
Explore new cocktails you'd love!
luxuryPin It
Sazerac
The Sazerac is a complex, strong, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of bitterness. The combination of rye whiskey, absinthe, and Peychaud's bitters creates a unique, herbal flavor profile with a smooth, velvety finish.
Pisco Sour
The Pisco Sour is a well-balanced cocktail with a combination of sweet, sour, and strong flavors. The Pisco provides a smooth, fruity base, while the lime juice adds a tangy, refreshing acidity. The simple syrup brings a touch of sweetness, and the egg white creates a rich, frothy texture. The bitters on top add a subtle, aromatic complexity.
Platinum Blonde
The Platinum Blonde cocktail offers a delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors, with a hint of bitterness from the orange liqueur. It is a smooth, refreshing, and light drink that leaves a pleasant citrusy aftertaste.
Vesper
The Vesper cocktail has a complex taste, with a balance of bitterness, sweetness, and herbal notes. It is strong, smooth, and slightly dry, with a crisp, refreshing finish.
20th Century
The 20th Century cocktail is a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors. The gin provides a strong, yet smooth base, the Lillet Blanc adds a sweet and fruity touch, the lemon juice brings a refreshing sourness, and the crème de cacao gives it a unique chocolatey finish.
Apple Martini
The Apple Martini has a sweet and sour taste, with a crisp and refreshing apple flavor. It is well-balanced, with a slight tartness from the apple and a smooth, velvety finish from the vodka.
Lemon Drop Martini
The Lemon Drop Martini has a bright, zesty, and slightly sweet taste. The combination of lemon juice and simple syrup creates a perfect balance of sour and sweet, while the vodka adds a smooth and strong kick. The sugar rim adds an extra touch of sweetness to each sip.
Chocolate Martini
The Chocolate Martini is rich, creamy, and sweet, with a velvety chocolate flavor and a hint of vanilla. It has a smooth, luxurious mouthfeel and a slightly boozy kick from the vodka.
Martini
The Martini has a crisp, clean, and slightly herbal taste. It is a strong and sophisticated cocktail with a hint of bitterness from the vermouth.
Margarita
The Margarita is a well-balanced cocktail with a bright, citrusy flavor. It is both sweet and sour, with the tanginess of lime juice complementing the sweetness of the orange liqueur. The tequila adds a strong, earthy backbone, while the salt rim enhances the overall taste and adds a savory touch.
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned has a rich, complex taste that is both sweet and bitter. The whiskey provides a strong, warming base, while the sugar and bitters add a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice. The orange and cherry garnish add a subtle fruity note.
Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is a complex blend of flavors, combining the sweetness of cola and sour mix with the boldness of multiple spirits. It is a strong, yet surprisingly smooth cocktail with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Gin and Tonic
The Gin and Tonic is a refreshing, crisp, and slightly bitter cocktail with a hint of sweetness. The botanical flavors of the gin are complemented by the sharpness of the tonic water, creating a balanced and invigorating drink.
Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling has a complex, fruity taste with a balance of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. It is refreshing, tangy, and slightly effervescent, with a hint of herbal undertones.
Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is a rich, velvety, and slightly sweet cocktail with a strong coffee flavor and a hint of bitterness. It has a creamy texture and a frothy top, making it a luxurious and indulgent drink.
Mudslide
The Mudslide cocktail is a rich, creamy, and indulgent drink with a perfect balance of sweet and slightly bitter flavors. The combination of coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and vodka creates a smooth, velvety texture with a hint of warmth from the alcohol.