Vesper recipe
Bond's original — shaken, not stirred, and stronger than you think.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Martini Family
Ingredients
- 3 oz Gordon's Gin
- 1 oz Vodka
- 0.5 oz Lillet Blanc
How to make a Vesper
- Chill a coupe glass.
- Add gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc to a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously until very cold — about 15 seconds.
- Strain into the chilled coupe glass.
- Express a long lemon peel over the drink and drop it in.
Garnish
Long lemon peel twist.
Pro tip
The original recipe calls for Kina Lillet, which no longer exists. Lillet Blanc is the closest substitute but it's less bitter. Some bartenders add a dash of orange bitters to compensate. And yes, Bond was wrong — this should probably be stirred for clarity, but shaking gives it that slightly cloudy, ice-cold bite he wanted.
History of the Vesper
Created by Ian Fleming for the 1953 novel Casino Royale. James Bond names it after Vesper Lynd, saying 'I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold.' The exact recipe is specified in the book — three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet.
Flavour profile
Boozy, Botanical, Citrus, Dry
Variations
- Modern Vesper — Use Cocchi Americano instead of Lillet for more bitterness
- Dirty Vesper — Add a bar spoon of olive brine
- French Vesper — Replace vodka with more gin, add a dash of absinthe
Practise making the Vesper in the free Virtual Bar game.