Skip to Content

This article contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Vesper Martini

The Vesper Martini may or may not be a double agent. After all, this cocktail’s code name is the James Bond Martini. Either way, you don’t have to go undercover to craft the sophisticated sipper at home when you follow our special mission a/k/a the Vesper Martini recipe.

Vesper Martini Close Up from Above
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Cocktails and Hollywood have long been intertwined. The connection usually involves a character like The Dude drinking a cocktail like the White Russian in movies like The Big Lebowski.

But not all characters are created equally. Some characters like James Bond don’t just drink cocktails. They create them too.

What Is A Vesper Martini?

Vesper Martini with Black Background
Although the Vesper Martini wasn’t the only cocktail imbibed by James Bond, it’s still called the James Bond cocktail. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Vesper Martini isn’t the only three-ingredient cocktail on the block. But it’s the only one we know of that was invented by an iconic author and popularized by his main character.

While we never met Ian Fleming (the author), we suspect that he wasn’t intending to create mixology magic when James Bond (his main character) introduced the world to the Vesper Martini. He also probably didn’t know that one of the cocktail’s three ingredients would have a shorter shelf life that his books.

Vesper Martini Next to Lillet Blanc Bottle
Lillet Blanc has replaced the Kina Lillet used in Ian Fleming’s original Vesper Martini recipe. We’re okay with this replacement. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Yes, Kina Lillet is no more. However, the Vesper Martini a/k/a the James Bond Martini lives on to fight the good fight one sip at a time. Today, however, bartenders craft Vespers with Lillet Blanc instead of Kina Lillet.

History of The Vesper Martini

Vesper Martini from Above
The Vesper Martini became a covert cocktail in 1953 when Ian Fleming published Casino Royale. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Ian Fleming created history in his very first novel. Not only did he introduce the world to James Bond in Casino Royale, but he also introduced a new cocktail – the Vesper Martini.

The recipe for the Vesper Martini is no top secret affair. In fact, Fleming, who named the drink after original bond girl Vesper Lynd, spelled it out clearly as “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.”

Vesper Martini with Lemon Peel
We shook this Vesper Martini just like Ian Fleming specified. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Ironically, James Bond proceeded to drink many more cocktails in eleven more books but never another Vesper Martini. But that one book was enough to create a cocktail for the ages.

More than a half century later, every reputable bartender knows how to craft a Vesper Martini. They also know how to craft a James Bond Martini since it’s the same exact drink.

Ingredients

Vesper Martini Ingredients
The Vesper Martini’s ingredient list is an open book. It includes gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc and lemon peel. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Although Ian Fleming was specific about the Vesper recipe when he wrote Casino Royale, we’ve taken a couple liberties with his recipe to craft a version that delights us with every sip. Our recipe includes the following ingredients:

  • Gin
  • Vodka
  • Lillet Blanc
  • Ice Cubes (for shaking or stirring)
  • Lemon Peel (garnish)
Vesper Martini Liquor Bottles
Gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc are the three liquor operatives in the Vesper Martini recipe. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Our recipe has two variations from the original Vesper cocktail recipe.

First, we’ve replaced Kina Lillet with Lillet Blanc. It’s an obvious move since Kina Lillet, which used “quinine liqueur made of cinchona bark from Peru,” is now defunct.

Second, we don’t specify Gordon’s gin. Instead, we say to use your favorite gin. It’s no top secret that this is the best approach for achieving cocktail success.

Gin

Citadelle Citron Blue Bottle on White Background
We used this bottle of Citadelle gin to craft our Vesper Martini. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We recommend using your favorite dry gin when you craft a Vesper Martini at home. We chose to use Citadelle dry gin from France to craft ours. Produced in Cognac, the premium gin features 19 botanicals and has an ABV of 44%.

Discover our favorite gin cocktails.

Vodka

Abolut Vodka Bottle
We used this bottle of Absolut vodka to craft our Vesper Martini. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We also recommend using your favorite vodka. We used Absolut Vodka since that’s our current vodka of choice. Distilled in Sweden, this vodka also has a 40% ABV.

Discover our favorite vodka cocktails.

Lillet Blanc

Lillet Blanc Bottle
We used this bottle of Lillet Blanc to craft our Vesper Martini. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Not your typical liquor, Lillet Blanc is actually an aromatized white wine. Aged in Bordeaux and blended with fruit liqueurs (mostly citrus), it has a 17% ABV.

How To Craft A Vesper Martini

Vesper Martini Mise en Place
Once we decided to shake our Vesper Martini, the next step was to gather the tools and ingredients. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The first step is to measure the gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc in a 3:1:0.5 ratio. Our recipe calls for three ounces of gin, one ounce of vodka and a half ounce of Lillet Blanc. We use a Japanese jigger to get accurate measurements and easy pours for all three of these liquids.

Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.

The next step is where you have a decision to make. Namely, you need to decide if you want your drink shaken or stirred.

There’s no bad decision here. We’ve seen reputable mixologists go both ways. As for us, channeling Ian Fleming’s original recipe, we opted to shake our James Bond cocktail.

Either way, you’ll want to add a handful of ice cubes to a shaker or mixing glass before you shake or mix your way to cocktail bliss.

Ice in Shaker for Vesper Martini
Deciding between shaking and stirring may not save the world but it could have an impact on your cocktail’s clarity. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

After you shake or mix the three liquids until they’re chilled and combined, strain them into a martini glass.

Straining Vesper Martini
The proof is in the pudding when you strain your Vesper Martini. Ours was a success! | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Finally, garnish the Vesper Martini with a swath of lemon peel.

Vesper Martini with Buildings
We took this Vesper Martini to the balcony for a non-clandestine drinking session. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Where you choose to sip your Vesper is up to you. We sipped this one on our balcony.

Variations

Crafted Vesper Martini Next to Bottles
Since James Bond was a prolific cocktail drinker when he wasn’t busy saving the free world, we crafted this Vesper Martini in his honor. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

This James Bond cocktail may whet your thirst for more James Bond cocktails. If so, our intelligence reveals that the following additional drinks will fit your bill:

Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Vesper Martini called a James Bond Martini?

James Bond famously ordered and imbibed a Vesper martini in Casino Royale.

Who invented the Vesper Martini?

Ian Fleming invented the Vesper Martini and shared it with the world in Casino Royale, his first James Bond novel.

What are the ingredients in a Vesper Martini?

Gin, Vodka, Lillet Blanc, Ice Cubes (for shaking or stirring) and Lemon Peel (garnish)

What’s the best gin to use in a Vesper Martini?

While you should use your favorite vodka in this cocktail recipe, Gordon’s was James Bond’s go-to gin for this cocktail.

Is the Vesper Martini shaken or stirred?

The Vesper Martini was originally shaken, not stirred. However, some mixologists prefer to stir this particular martini.

What type of glass is best for the Vesper Martini?

Not surprisingly based on its name, the Vesper Martini should be served in a martini glass.

Did you craft this cocktail? If so, please rate the recipe below.

Vesper Martini with White Background
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Vesper Martini Recipe

Although the Vesper Martini is also called the James Bond Martini, you don't have to be a spy to follow our easy Vesper Martini recipe.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drink
Cuisine: Cocktail
Servings: 1
Calories: 285kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces gin
  • 1 ounce vodka
  • ½ ounce Lillet Blanc
  • lemon peel (garnish)
  • ice cubes (for shaking)

Instructions

  • Pour gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc into a shaker or mixing glass.
  • Add a handful of ice cubes and shake or stir until liquids are mixed and chilled.
  • Strain into a martini glass.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist.

Estimated Nutrition

Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 2mg | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 0.03mg
Are you inspired by this recipe?If so, subscribe to our mailing list for more inspiration.

Thirsty For More Vodka Cocktails?

Bloody Caesar Cocktail with Celery and Black Background
Bloody Caesar Recipe
Lemon Drop Martini - Social IMG
Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
Mindi Eraser - Social IMG
Mind Eraser Recipe
About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We purchased the ingredients and tools used to craft this cocktail.

Original Publication Date: December 9, 2022

Recipe Rating




Get our free guide to eating like a local when you travel.