Shaken, Not Stirred: How To Make a James Bond Martini

By Katie Wilson

The 25th James Bond film No Time To Die starring Daniel Craig is in cinemas now, but if you’ve ever wanted to drink like 007, here’s how.

From a Vesper Martini to a Dirty Martini, these cocktail recipes from experts VonHaus are guaranteed to make you feel like a secret agent – and all are shaken, not stirred.

What does James Bond drink?

James Bond famously drinks martinis, but there is more than one recipe which features in the films.

You can make a martini with either gin or vodka as a base – or with both spirits. This is then mixed with vermouth, served in a chilled glass, and garnished with lemon peel or a green olive.

But when it comes to Bond, he prefers a particular martini. In the 1953 book Casino Royale, Ian Fleming’s Bond orders a Vesper Martini, a fictional drink named after a double agent.

A Vesper Martini is unique as it combines both gin and vodka with Kina Lillet liqueur. Unfortunately they don’t make Kina Lillet anymore, so it’s substituted with Lillet Blanc vermouth or dry vermouth to get the same sweet, yet botanical taste.

Bond describes the perfect recipe when ordering a drink from the barman: ‘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?’

Here are three martini cocktail recipes Bond orders in the films – and you can make them all at home.

How to make a James Bond Vesper Martini

INGREDIENTS

• 3 measures gin
• 1 measure vodka
• ½ measure Lillet Blanc or dry vermouth
• Lemon peel

Tip – if you use Lillet Blanc, add about 3 dashes of bitters to keep the same taste.

METHOD

1. Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake thoroughly.
2. Pour into a martini glass and add a twist of lemon peel.

How to make a James Bond Vodka Martini

Although Bond has been spotted ordering a Vesper Martini, traditionally the secret agent drinks Vodka Martinis with a twist of lemon. His signature drink is neat and sophisticated, but strong. It’s an acquired taste which can be easily customised to your liking by adding less or more dry vermouth.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 measures of vodka
• ½ to ¾ dry vermouth, depending on your taste
• Lemon twist

METHOD

1. Shake up all the ingredients and pour into a martini glass.
2. Cut a thick slice of lemon peel and rub it on the edge of the glass before placing it in the drink. Again, add a few dashes of bitters if you like a more aromatic drink.

How to make a James Bond Dirty Martini

While Bond always has a lemon twist in his signature drink, eagle-eyed fans noticed a change in his order in the 2015 film, Spectre. 007 was spotted drinking a Dirty Martini with olives instead of lemon. If you prefer a more salty, bitter taste, this might be for you.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 measures vodka
• 1 measure dry vermouth
• ½ measure of olive brine
• Olives to garnish

METHOD

1. Shake up all the ingredients and pour into a martini glass.
2. Garnish with a cocktail stick of olives.

Does James Bond always drink Martinis?

While James Bond mostly sips martinis, the secret agent enjoys a range of boozy tipples. He also likes:

• Scotch and soda
• Vodka Tonic
• Old-Fashioned

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