Vesper — Fleming's martini: gin, vodka and a quinquina, stirred down to almost nothing

Vesper

Fleming's martini: gin, vodka and a quinquina, stirred down to almost nothing

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ozCocchi Americano
    Stands where Fleming wrote Kina Lillet
    Substitute: Lillet Blanc, though it is sweeter and less bitter
  • 3 ozGin
    A London dry at navy strength if you have it
    Substitute: Any assertive London dry
  • 1 ozVodka
    Neutral, well chilled

Instructions

  1. Chill a coupe
  2. Add 3 oz gin, 1 oz vodka and 1/2 oz Cocchi Americano to a mixing glass
  3. Fill with ice and stir until very cold

    Longer than a martini; this is a stronger drink and the water is doing real work

  4. Strain into the chilled coupe and express a lemon peel over the surface

Technique Notes

Bond says shaken and the drink is better stirred. Shaking clouds an all-spirit build and chips the ice into it, and at this strength dilution is the only thing standing between you and neat gin.

Why the Vesper Works

Gin and vodka together is a stronger drink than either alone and it needs something with acidity and bitterness to stop it reading as fuel. Cocchi Americano brings cinchona and citrus where a modern Lillet brings mostly fruit, which is the whole argument for using it here.