The Vesper Cocktail Recipe

The Vesper or the Vesper Martini was invented by the James Bond author Ian Fleming and first appeared in his book “Casino Royale,” named after the fictional double agent Vesper Lynd. The Vesper Cocktail is an iconic classic that blends literary heritage with mid-20th-century cocktail culture. First introduced in Casino Royale (1953) by Ian Fleming, the Vesper is inseparably linked to James Bond, making it one of the most recognisable drinks in the world. Unlike traditional Martinis, the Vesper combines gin, vodka, and Lillet, creating a bold yet refined profile that reflects post-war European sophistication. Famous for Bond’s instruction to have it “shaken, not stirred,” the cocktail embodies elegance, confidence, and modernity. Today, the Vesper Cocktail remains a staple of classic mixology, prized for its cinematic legacy, precise origins, and enduring appeal among cocktail historians and enthusiasts alike.

The Vesper Cocktail is one of the few drinks in history with a precise and undisputed origin. It was first introduced in 1953 in Casino Royale, the debut novel by Ian Fleming, making it a cocktail born entirely from fiction before entering real-world mixology. Ordered by James Bond himself, the Vesper quickly became a defining symbol of espionage-era sophistication and cinematic style.

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Bond specifies the recipe in exact detail, combining gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet, and famously instructing that it be “shaken, not stirred.” The drink is named after Vesper Lynd, the novel’s central female character, adding narrative depth and emotional resonance to the cocktail. This literary connection sets the Vesper apart from traditional classics whose origins are often blurred or disputed.

Historically, the Vesper reflects post-war European luxury and changing drinking habits. Vodka was still relatively uncommon in Western cocktail culture at the time, and its inclusion signalled modernity and international influence. Kina Lillet, a quinine-forward aromatised wine popular in the mid-20th century, contributed bitterness and structure. Although Kina Lillet is no longer produced, Lillet Blanc is now widely used as a substitute.

The Vesper’s cultural influence expanded dramatically with the James Bond film franchise, particularly following Casino Royale (2006). Today, it remains a staple of classic cocktail menus and a gateway drink for those exploring literary and cinematic mixology. Elegant, assertive, and unmistakably iconic, the Vesper Cocktail stands as a rare example of a fictional creation that reshaped real-world cocktail culture.

The Vesper Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 oz of gin

• 1 oz of vodka

• ½ oz Lillet blanc aperitif

• Use a lemon twist as a garnish

Assembly

Add the gin, vodka and Lillet blanc into a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink, rub the twist along the rim of the glass and drop it into the cocktail.