VESPER MARTINI COCKTAIL RECIPE
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT
The Vesper Martini is a truly iconic drink and a twist on a classic Dry Martini. Made with Gin, Vodka, a splash of Lillet Blanc, and garnished with a Lemon Twist, the Vesper Martini is simultaneously crisp, cool and herbal.
While tradition—and a famous British secret agent—suggests it should be shaken, we’re going to show you how to make a stirred Vesper Martini. But wait, there’s more…
In the video on this page, Rico reveals how to make the perfect Vesper Martini tailored to your budget. That’s right, Rico demonstrates both a luxury Vesper Martini using super premium ingredients and a budget or standard version. The suspense builds as he is blindfolded and asked to choose his preferred drink. So, which will it be – the luxury version or the budget version?
How to Make a Vesper Martini
Ingredients
What You’ll Need
- Jigger
- Mixing Glass
- Bar Spoon
- Peeler
- Julep Strainer
- Martini Glass
How to Mix
- Measure and pour Old Tom Gin into a Mixing Glass.
- Measure and pour Absolut Vodka, followed by Lillet Blanc.
- Fill the Mixing Glass with Ice Cubes
- Use a Bar Spoon and stir until chilled.
- Place a Julep Strainer over the Mixing Glass then pour the cocktail into a Martini Glass.
- Use a Peeler to remove a strip of Lemon Zest, twist it over your drink to release the oils, and place it in your Glass.
- Sip and enjoy!
WATCH RICO MAKE THE VESPER MARTINI – LUXURY VS STANDARD! WHICH DRINK WILL HE PREFER?
What is a Vesper Martini cocktail?
The Vesper Martini is an elegant and timeless classic martini. However, where martinis are usually made with gin or vodka, the Vesper Martini includes both, together with a splash of Lillet Blanc.
The Vesper Martini was made famous by a certain fictitious British secret agent who insisted that it should be “shaken not stirred.”
What Does a Vesper Martini Taste Like?
The Vesper Martini is crisp, cool and herbal. It features the juniper notes of gin, the smoothness of vodka, and the citrusy, floral, and subtly honeyed flavors of Lillet Blanc. Perfectly elegant.
The History of the Vesper Martini
The Vesper Martini was created by an author of a literary franchise about a suave British secret agent. The Vesper Martini was featured in the first book of the series in 1953. The agent’s iconic preference for a “shaken, not stirred” Vesper Martini has become legendary.
The Vesper is essentially a Dry Martini with Vodka added to mellow the Gin’s Juniper notes, mirroring Vodka’s rising popularity in Martini recipes at the time. In fact, the earliest known reference to a Vodka Martini appeared just a year before.
The original Vesper recipe featured London Dry Gin, Vodka, and the aperitif wine Kina Lillet. However, with Kina Lillet no longer in production, Lillet Blanc has taken its place as a substitute.
Tips for Making the Perfect Vesper Martini
Stir to perfection
As you stir your Vesper Martini in the Mixing Glass, stir until it’s both perfectly chilled and perfectly diluted. How can you tell it’s just right? When you like what you taste! Martinis are very personal, and since it’s your drink, the most important thing is that you make it to your liking.
Variations of a Vesper Martini
- Shaken vs Stirred
With countless Martini variations out there, even the slightest adjustment can result in a completely new cocktail. For the Vesper Martini, why not try both a shaken and a stirred version to see which suits your taste?
You can also explore different types of Gin to create your own unique twist on this classic drink.
- Luxury vs Regular/Budget
As you’ll see in the video, Rico makes two versions of the Vesper Martini – a luxury version using super premium products and a regular or budget-friendly version. The recipe here is for a regular Vesper Martini…but if you’re feeling fancy and want to impress your guests, splash out and make the luxury Vesper with Beefeater Crown Jewel, Elyx Vodka and Lillet Blanc!
Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Vesper Martini
A Vesper Martini should be served in a Martini Glass and garnished with Lemon Twist. Because sometimes simplicity is perfection.
The Vesper Martini can be seen as a fusion of a Vodka Martini and a Gin Martini. While classic Martinis were originally crafted with Gin, Vodka later became a popular alternative.
Unlike the traditional Martini, which combines Gin or Vodka with Vermouth, the Vesper incorporates both Gin and Vodka, replacing Vermouth with a splash of the fruity and aromatic French apéritif, Lillet Blanc.
The Vesper Martini is traditionally shaken, a method that introduces air into the cocktail, resulting in a colder and more diluted drink.
Although the famous secret agent preferred his Vesper shaken, modern bartenders often opt to stir it. Try both methods and see which you prefer.
A classic Vesper Martini is made with London Dry Gin. However, we like to use Old Tom Gin, which is slightly sweeter than the juniper-forward London Dry Gin. But it’s your Martini, so if you have a favorite Gin, go with that.
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