Vesper

[Count Silvio]

"Once you've tasted it, that's all you want to drink."

• Three measures of Gordon's
• one of vodka
• half a measure of Kina Lillet.
• Shake it over ice, and then add a thin slice of lemon peel.

Has anyone actually made one and what do you replace the Kina Lillet with? I am especially keen to hear Paul's thoughts about this cocktail as IPBartenders served cocktails at the Casino Royale premiere.

[paulipbartender]

We made several hundred of these to an all-star cast of revellers - most of whom ordered them to sound cool, took one sip, whinced at the punch of alcohol and ordered a vodka cranberry or a champagne!!

Frankly I'm not a big fan of the original recipe. Gordons is a little one-dimensional for the delicate balance required. Replace the Kina Lillet for a Lillet Blanc http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-5041.aspx and the Gordons for a Millers, Bombay or maybe Tanqueray.

I have to admit, I've never 'got' Martinis. Aren't they just cold neat alcohol - and not the best sipping alcohol either? Bottle of beer and an aged rum straight up on the side for me please Lloyd.

[Count Silvio]

Thank you for your input. I've actually never been a martini fan either but I just recently rewatched Casino Royale and was reminded of this particular cocktail. I've only ever had a few martinis at various bars and they were all more or less bad although they were the kind of finnish bars that never have the right ingredients (they never have mint for mojitos!), I guess I'm trying to give the martini a second chance (or am I looking for excuses to drink alcohol ).

[tiare]

Aged rum straight up or JW&N overprrof with Ting or decent Tiki drinks made with heavy demerara rums..that`s it! and of course..a killer Mai Tai with Silver Seal 15 year old Demerara rum! hmm..and then Banks on the rocks..mm..

[Bill Gorton]

skip the vesper, get a gimlet. the latter was good enough for phillip marlowe who i'll stick with if i'm going to follow the advice of a fictional character.

[AngelSword]

I felt inspired and tried this one:

1 Lillet
1 limoncello
2 bourbon
3 dashes Pechaud's bitters
shake over ice