You could also use Cocchi Americano in place of Lillet, to add hint of bitterness, which is a nice touch. Finally, I’ve found the Vesper actually tastes a bit more balanced, with a touch more Lillet than vodka, rather than the other way around. I’d go with a gin that’s around 47-50% ABV, and if there was ever a time to specifically use London dry, this is certainly it. Also, Gordon’s is now bottled at 40% ABV, which I think a little soft for this drink. I’ve made a few alterations, if you’re willing break with tradition.įor one, my recipe contracts the size of Bond’s, clearly he had no problem downing a cocktail with 4 ounces of spirit, but it’s not something I generally recommend. Bond’s original recipe calls for 3 ounces of Gordon’s gin, 1 oz of vodka, and a 1/2 oz of Lillet Blanc, shaken and served with a lemon twist. This is the cocktail that the British super-spy famously calls out the recipe for in his inaugural adventure, Casino Royale, and then names it after the love interest (or so he thinks!). James Bond is good at a lot of things, and apparently creating drinks is one of them. Much like the opening gun barrel, 007’s iconic martini order and the James Bond theme itself, Casino Royale took the time to make something so iconic into a fresh and surprising debut, just as.
