WHEN Ian Fleming created the James Bond character, he based Bond’s drinking habits on his own. By the time he wrote Moonraker, he was reportedly drinking half a bottle of spirits a day and therefore so was his literary alter-ego. He said if he was only going to have one cocktail before dinner, it would have to be very strong, very cold and very well-made.
And so, he came up with the Vesper, which Bond named after Vesper Lynd’s character in the 1953 book, Casino Royale. She was also portrayed to perfection by Eva Green in the more recent movie.
The cocktail was a mix of three parts gin and one part vodka, with a dash of Kina Lillet (a lovely vermouth). Bond asked for this uber-martini to be shaken over ice, strained into a large glass and garnished with a thin slice of lemon peel.
Simple. Although, not so simple now as Kina Lillet is no longer in production. You could substitute with the Lillet Blanc, although this is a sweeter style of vermouth with a lower quinine content which will change the dimensions of the drink. I think a better option is the Cocchi Americano (Inverarity One to One, £16.99) which has more quinine and is therefore more like the original concoction.
With the gin and the vodka, pick the best ones you can afford, and make sure they are at least 40% ABV (alcohol by volume). If you stint on the price, or the ABV, you will not be able to pretend you’re an international spy.
Bond’s preference was always for a Russian or Polish vodka, although he was guilty of adding a pinch of black pepper to the glass if he was drinking it straight. This was to take away any imperfections from lower-quality spirits, but he admitted to M that he had grown to like the taste so he often added a pinch to the good stuff as well.
One to add to your Vesper this weekend is the Belvedere Vodka (Waitrose, £36), bottled at 40% ABV, distilled four times for purity, and completely delicious. Hold the pepper.
Pete Stewart is Glasgow director of Inverarity One to One, 185a Bath Street www.inverarity121.com
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