In the novel Casino Royale, author Ian Fleming’s most famous creation — the super spy James Bond gives a recipe for a drink he’d concocted that, quite frankly, sounds completely insane. Until you’ve had a chance to try one, that is. It’s called a Vesper after the novel’s heroine, and it’s as tasty as it is strong.
If you really want to make a Vesper that the character himself would be proud of, the good news is that it’s a lot easier than you think. You can probably make it using ingredients you already have available to you; no trip to the store is needed.
The Vesper Martini: Breaking Things Down
As one might expect from an author with a voice as strong as Ian Fleming’s, the recipe for the Vesper martini is very specifically laid out in the novel Casino Royale. For maximum authenticity, it’s best not to deviate from these rules… with one exception.
Take 3 ounces of Gordon’s Gin (again, the recipe is very clear) and 1 ounce of your favorite type of vodka. Pour them into a cocktail shaker over ice. Add 1 ounce of Kina Lillet (or another type of dry vermouth, if you don’t have any Lillet handy), and shake well. There is some discrepancy as to whether or not you should shake a Vesper or stir it. This may be the one exception to the “always follow the directions” rule. With a drink this strong, you’re definitely going to want to shake it to make sure it is properly chilled.
Pour your mixture into a chilled cocktail glass and add a large piece of lemon peel for garnish.
At that point, all you have to do is grab a copy of your favorite novel, sit back and enjoy your drink. You’ve just made one drink that is essentially three to four drinks rolled into a single cocktail, so you’ve got everything you need to unwind with a relaxing martini at The Belden-Stratford.
If you’d like to find out about more martinis that you can easily make right at home at The Belden-Stratford, or if you’re just curious about some of the incredible apartments in Chicago that are waiting for someone just like you, please don’t delay — contact us today.