About to engage in some international espionage, a high-speed car chase or a night of seduction? May I suggest the Vesper? This martini is James Bond’s drink of choice, served shaken not stirred.
This version is an adaptation from the original recipe which would give you a 4.5 ounce cocktail and knock you right on your ass. Because most of us can only dream to achieve Bond’s fortitude, in the face of his many nemeses or an enormous quantity of gin, I’ve gone ahead and pared things back for you.
I judged a cocktail competition at the Rideau Club here in Ottawa on Friday and the head bartender at the Club whipped up this cocktail which left me feeling inspired. She added a twist of lemon to the shaker along with the booze and ice to enhance the lemon flavour.
I liked the concept and employed it here. This is a VERY spirited drink so an extra touch of citrus helps the medicine go down. Honestly, if you’re not a martini person, I wouldn’t recommend this tipple. It’s meant to be sipped slowly and served from a very well-chilled glass. I would recommend rinsing a few martini glasses and tucking them into your freezer so you can tip the drink into a cold glass if you’ve not managed to finish it before your initial glass thaws out.
That might sound a bit ridiculous to some of you, but trust me, temperature makes a BIG difference in drinkability. Similarly, dilution has a major impact on flavour. The longer you shake with ice, the more diluted the drink will become. If you want it STRONG, don’t shake for long.
I always feel very grown-up whenever I drink a martini. Maybe it’s because there is a built-in sobriety test in the shape of the stemware. Steady hands and straight backs are required to sip, without spilling, from a martini glass.
Other things that make me feel very adult:
- having literally anything done to my car i.e. oil change, winter tires, renewing license plate stickers;
- scrubbing the tub (LOATHE DEEPLY);
- making my hair do something attractive other than a basic blow-out or a high pony; and,
- paying my mortgage.
And some adulting things I’m not currently capable of:
- sewing on a button, or sewing anything for that matter;
- remembering birthdays without the help of Facebook; and,
- checking the mail and dealing with my correspondence on a daily basis.
Also, I do know how to iron but I don’t currently own an iron or ironing board. I don’t consider this a big loss.
As you might have guessed, I’m pretty “adult” at managing most kitchen/bar tasks. I have a matching set of glassware for pretty much any occasion, except for brandy, I don’t own any snifters. I can meal plan, prep, set the table, lay out a coordinated tablescape with matching plates, placemats, chargers, candlesticks, and serving platters with the best of them.
What are your best and worst #adulting skills? Let me know in the comments.
Vesper Martini
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/4 oz Lillet Blanc
- 2 twists lemon peel
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Chill martini glass by filling with ice.
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Add gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc and one twist of lemon peel to cocktail shaker. Fill with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
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Dump ice from martini glass. Strain contents of shaker into chilled glass. Garnish with twist of lemon peel. Serve immediately.
LOL, my worst adulting skill is ironing! While I do in fact own two irons and two ironing boards,
I find that ironing itself is definitely not my favorite sport!
I will teach you how to sew on a button. Can’t remember why I didn’t do that years ago.
Oh well. xoxo