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Splash of Taste – Vegetarian Recipes

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Home / Drinks

Vesper Martini

Published July 22, 2022 | Updated October 27, 2022 | By Mandy & Jane

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Vesper martini image for Pinterest.

Looking for a stiff drink that’s stylish and packs a punch? Our authentic vesper martini recipe is perfect for both gin and vodka lovers. If it’s good enough for James Bond then it gets our vote!

Vesper martini in a cocktail glass with a yellow lemon twist in the glass.

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Why you’ll love this stylish cocktail

  • You’ll have it made in just 2 minutes.
  • Both gin and vodka lovers will enjoy this cocktail.
  • It’s the perfect all year round cocktail and can be made ahead.
  • If you like spirit forward classic cocktails, then this drink is for you!
  • It’s 100% vegetarian and vegan.

What ingredients do I need?

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Ingredients needed to make the cocktail.

Channel your inner secret agent and raise a Vesper Martini to James Bond!

How to make a vesper martini with step by step instructions

Making our vesper martini recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.

A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes and add Lillet blanc, gin, and vodka, and stir until ice cold.

Someone pouring alcohol into a mixing glass.
Pour the alcohol into a mixing glass and then stir for 30 seconds.
Someone twisting lemon peel above a martini glass.
Twist lemon peel above the cocktail to express its oils.

Using a fine mesh strainer, pour your cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.

Hold a thin slice of lemon peel with both hands and twist to express the oils, then drop the lemon twist into your drink.

Serve and enjoy your vesper martini cocktail – cheers!

A beautiful shot of a James Bond cocktail vodka martini with a lemon twist in it.

We hope you enjoy making and drinking our classic vesper recipe and would love to hear how you got on with making it.

Please leave a comment below and feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Recipe notes and expert tips

  • Mixing glass
    You don’t have to have a special glass to make stirred cocktails, use any tall glass that you have to hand or you could use a cocktail shaker.
  • Lillet blanc
    Swap Lillet blanc for Cocchi Americano, this will give a little bitter flavor, much like the original Kina Lillet, and give you a more authentic vesper.
  • Low quality spirits
    You can’t disguise the flavor of low quality in this cocktail as it’s only spirited, so make sure they are good!
  • Making ahead?
    Make sure you strain your cocktail and remove ice cubes, or your cocktail will be diluted.

The history of the vesper martini

Think about a vesper martini and you think James Bond.

In his very first Bond novel, Ian Fleming wrote;

“A dry martini,” he said. “One. In a deep champagne goblet.”

‘Oui, monsieur.’

“Just a moment. 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. Got it?“

“Certainly monsieur.” The barman seemed pleased with the idea.

“Gosh, that’s certainly a drink,” said Leiter.

Bond laughed. “When I’m … er … concentrating,” he explained, ‘I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold, and very well made.

I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink’s my own invention. I’m going to patent it when I think of a good name.’“

Casino Royale, Chapter 7: Rouge et Noir[1]

Half a glass of vesper martini with a lemon twist.

James Bond went on to call the cocktail Vesper martini, named after a Bond woman named Vesper Lynd.

The drink was originally made with gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc.

However, over the years different variations of the drink have been created.

Some bartenders have replaced Lillet Blanc with Cocchi Americano, while others have replaced the vodka with bourbon.

What does a vesper martini taste like?

A Vesper martini is a drink that combines the smoothness of vodka with the complexity of gin.

The end result is a slightly bitter and dry cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on in the summer sun.

Choose your gin and vodka wisely

Gin and vodka are crucial elements of this classic vesper martini, so you need to have quality brands.

If you don’t have quality, then don’t make it, because it’ll taste like rocket fuel, seriously.

James Bond may have ordered Gordon’s gin, but we prefer Hendrick’s, it’s much smoother and if you can’t find that, try Bombay Sapphire.

Don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing wrong with Gordon’s gin, we just feel that you can get better these days.

For the vodka we prefer to use Grey Goose it’s premium vodka but not off the scale expensive.

If you need something more cost effective, try SKYY vodka.

Shaken not stirred?

In Casino Royale, James Bond says to the bartender ‘shaken not stirred‘ because typically cocktails, that are made with just spirits, are stirred.

We prefer to stir our vesper martini to be stirred.

If you shake them then tiny ice chips are added to the drink, which dilutes it

A vodka martini in a cocktail glass with a lemon twist and nuts and olives in bowls.

What is Lillet blanc?

Kina Lillet was replaced by Lillet blanc.

Lillet blanc is a French aperitif wine that is made from white Bordeaux grapes.

The wine is then mixed with citrus fruits and herbs to give it a unique flavor profile.

It’s often served chilled and can be enjoyed either on its own or mixed with other drinks.

There are three different kinds of Lillet’s; Lillet blanc, Lillet Rose, and Lillet rouge.

Make it ahead

You can make a vesper martini ahead.

Simply follow the instructions below and then strain your cocktail and pour the liquid back into your mixing glass or cocktail shaker.

Place the cocktail in the fridge until you are ready to serve it!

More easy martini recipes for you to try

If you like our vesper martini, then check out these martini variations.

  • Dirty Martini
  • Pornstar martini
  • Vodka martini
  • French martini
  • Lemon drop martini
Homemade Pornstar martini

Pornstar martini cocktail recipe

Dirty martini cocktail drink in a martini glass, with a green olive garnish.

Dirty martini recipe

French martini in a cocktail glass.

French Martini cocktail recipe

Vodka martini in a glass with olives.

Vodka Martini

Two zesty lemon drop martinis

Lemon drop martini recipe

Two perfect espresso martini cocktails

Espresso martini

Vesper martini in a cocktail glass.
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Vesper Martini

James Bond knew what he was doing when he chose the Vesper martini as his drink of choice. Smooth, sophisticated, and with a kick, this martini is perfect for any occasion. You need to try this today and it'll only take you 2 minutes to make!
Prep Time2 mins
Total Time2 mins
Servings1
Calories276
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: Best of British
Author: Jane Chapman
Prevent your screen from going dark

Utensils

Mixing glass.
Mixing glass
Cocktail jigger
Jigger

Ingredients

  • Ice cubes
  • 3 oz Gin
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • ½ oz Lilet blanc
  • 1 Lemon peel
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Fill a mixing glass with ice and add gin, vodka, and lilet blanc, and stir until chilled
    Ice cubes, 3 oz Gin, 1 oz Vodka, ½ oz Lilet blanc
  • Strain into your cocktail glass. Then, hold the lemon peel in both hands and twist it to express the oils, rub the peel around the rim of your glass and then drop it into the cocktail. Serve and enjoy!
    1 Lemon peel

Notes

Mixing glass
 You don’t have to have a special glass to make stirred cocktails, use any tall glass that you have to hand or you could use a cocktail shaker
Lillet blanc
 Swap Lillet blanc for Cocchi Americano, this will give a little bitter flavor, much like the original Kina Lillet, and give you a more authentic vesper
Low quality spirits
 You can’t disguise the flavor of low quality in this cocktail as it’s only spirited, so make sure they are good!
Making ahead?
 Make sure you strain your cocktail and remove ice cubes, or your cocktail will be diluted

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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About Mandy

A vegetarian for over 35 years, Mandy has taught herself to be creative in the kitchen. Traveling extensively, Mandy loves learning and adapting vegetarian recipes from across the world. Read more...

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    July 25, 2022 at 2:21 pm

    5 stars
    Shaken, not stirred! I love a good martini and this one hit the spot after a rough day at work!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      July 25, 2022 at 2:41 pm

      Glad it was able to take the edge of your hard day at work – cheers!

  2. Gen says

    July 25, 2022 at 8:39 pm

    5 stars
    Made this as a treat for my boyfriend who loves classic cocktails. It was spectacular! Thank you for the excellent recipe.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      July 26, 2022 at 8:28 am

      Your boyfriend has excellent taste, really pleased he enjoyed it!

  3. Rupali says

    July 25, 2022 at 11:04 pm

    5 stars
    I had Bombay Sapphire on hand, so used that. Such a refreshing drink, loved it!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      July 26, 2022 at 8:27 am

      Bombay Sapphire is a great choice – cheers!

  4. Greta says

    July 25, 2022 at 11:31 pm

    5 stars
    BIG LOVE for this drink.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      July 26, 2022 at 8:26 am

      So pleased you enjoyed it – cheers!

  5. Sherry says

    July 26, 2022 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    Love how easy this is to make! Thanks for sharing and breaking it down so simply!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      July 26, 2022 at 5:24 pm

      You are more than welcome and glad you enjoyed it!

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We love sharing our vegetarian food and drink recipes with you. If you’re cutting down on meat, going vegetarian or vegan, there’s something delicious to eat and drink for you here
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