Created by Ian Fleming for the novel Casino Royale, the Vesper combines gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc, shaken—not stirred—and garnished with a thin slice of lemon peel in a deep goblet. It became among the most famous fictional cocktails ever devised, bound to James Bond and his stated preference for the shaken preparation. In the glass, the pairing of dry gin and vodka with the wine-based Lillet Blanc yields a potent, aromatic drink notably drier than a standard Martini, at close to 30 percent ABV. Its literary origin has carried it well beyond the page.
Vesper
Vesper Martini
Ingrédients
- Gin 6 cl
- Vodka 1.5 cl
- Lillet Blanc 0.75 cl
Instructions
Shake over ice until well chilled, then strain into a deep goblet and garnish with a thin slice of lemon peel.
Le Vesper est un cocktail « New Era Drinks » de l'IBA créé par Ian Fleming pour son roman Casino Royale, associant gin, vodka et Lillet Blanc, shaké — et non remué — puis garni d'une fine tranche de zeste de citron. Il est devenu l'un des cocktails de fiction les plus célèbres de l'histoire, indissociablement associé au personnage de James Bond et à son insistance à ce qu'il soit « shaken, not stirred ». Dans la pratique, l'association du gin sec et de la vodka avec le Lillet Blanc à base de vin crée un cocktail puissant, aromatique et plus sec qu'un Martini.
History & Origins
The Vesper was created by Ian Fleming in his 1953 novel Casino Royale, where James Bond orders it from a barman and names it after the fictional double agent Vesper Lynd. Fleming specified Gordon's Gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet (now replaced by Lillet Blanc, though Kina had a more bitter quinine character). The IBA recognized it in its New Era Drinks category. The drink sparked decades of debate about the 'shaken vs. stirred' Martini, with the cocktail community largely agreeing that stirring is technically superior.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Gin's juniper and botanicals dominate with a clean vodka backbone and Lillet Blanc's floral, wine, and honey character, finished with lemon peel citrus oil. Palate: Bold and spirit-forward with remarkable aromatic complexity — gin's botanicals are amplified by vodka's neutral strength, while Lillet Blanc adds a delicate, slightly sweet, wine-derived depth that prevents harshness. Finish: Dry, long, and complex with lingering juniper, lemon, and a gentle floral Lillet note.
Pro Tip
Shake with plenty of fine ice to achieve the maximum chill James Bond demanded, and use a sliver of lemon peel — not a twist — to express the oils without bitterness.
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