Legendary cocktail "Vesper": recipe

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Cocktail - a drink made by mixing vodka, rum, cognac, grape wines, fruit and vegetable juices, milk, ice, etc.

Knowing some secrets and following the recipes, you can treat yourself and your friends to a house party with delicious alcoholic cocktails. Who has not heard of the famous "Mojito", "Bloody Mary", "Americano", "Daiquiri" or "Vesper"? Cocktail - a drink that is easy to prepare and drink, beautiful, quickly gives a feeling of lightness, relaxedness and joy.

The history of the cocktail

In which country did the first cocktail appear? Nobody remembers anymore.

The British claim that the first drink came from them. The name comes from "kok tail", which means "horse of mixed blood" among horse racing enthusiasts (they usually have funny tails sticking out, like roosters).

The French are convinced that the cocktail was invented by a Frenchman who served a mixed wine drink in an egg glass (Coquetier).

In Spain, it is believed that "cocktail" comes from the Spanish expression "rooster's tail". This was the name of the plant, the root of which is the Spanish bartendermixed alcoholic drinks.

In the US, they believe that the name "cocktail" comes from cock tail - cock's tail.

There is a story that in 1770 the bartender lost his favorite rooster. For his return, he promised to give his beautiful daughter as a wife. The officer found the pinched fugitive. The bartender's daughter, overjoyed at the upcoming wedding, mixed different drinks. Bar regulars dubbed the booze cock tail.

Cocktails gained wide popularity in the 20s of the last century. It was then that the classic alcoholic mixtures appeared: Americano, Cuba Libro, Bloody Mary, John Collis, Vesper (Bond's cocktail), Manhattan, Daiquiri and others.

History of Vesper

Many famous drinks have their own legends and heroes.

One of them is the legendary Vesper cocktail. Casino Royale (a 1953 novel by Ian Fleming) is the original source for the Vesper recipe.

The author of the famous James Bond novels, Ian Fleming, was a drinker. His book character throughout the "Bond" uses various alcoholic drinks, the recipes of which are described in the novels.

The Vesper cocktail was invented by the writer Ivar Bryce, and Fleming shared the recipe of a friend in Bond with the main character.

In the novel "Casino Royale" James Bond orders the bartender a cocktail according to his recipe. He names this drink in honor of the mysterious Vesper Lind. She was and remainsBond's only true love.

The famous spy compared the drink with his beloved: once you try the Vesper cocktail, you will never forget its taste, just like the beautiful Vesper Lind. And Bond was right.

Vesper cocktail: composition (classic)

The classic composition of Vesper is given in Ian Fleming's first novel about agent 007. In it, Bond orders the bartender a cocktail of the following composition:

• dry "Martini" in a large glass;
• "Gordon" (gin) - three fingers;
• vodka (preferably wheat) - one finger;
• Kina Lillet (dry French aperitif) - half a finger.

Shake well in a shaker to ice temperature, put a large slice of lemon.

Bond explained the recipe with his dislike of half-heartedness. Agent 007 preferred one cocktail before dinner, but strong, cold, well prepared and in a large glass.

In the original, James Bond never said the well-known phrase "Shake, but do not mix!" These words were attributed to the agent in the films. Sean Connery first said them in the movie "Goldfinger" in 1964. Since then, this phrase has become a "signature", in each subsequent episode, James Bond, ordering a drink, invariably repeated: "Shake, but do not mix."

Indeed, vodka martinis are usually stirred, and Bond asked to be shaken in a shaker.

Aperitif Kina Lillet, popular in Englandin the 50s of the last century, gave the drink a touch of bitterness, as it included quinine and a mixture of fruit liqueurs with dry French wine.

How to cook Vesper

Aperitif "Kina Lillet" according to the original recipe is no longer available. The amount of quinine was reduced in the drink, and its taste changed, became more fruity. A similar drink is called Lillet Blanc, which is not widely sold in Russia. You can replace it with a white dry martini, vermouth or a similar drink.

So, the modern Vesper recipe calls for:

• vodka - 15 milliliters;
• gin - 45 milliliters;
• martini (vermouth) dry white - 7.5 milliliters;
• ice - 300 grams;
• lemon zest - a spiral from one piece.

Pour a handful of ice into a cocktail glass (for cooling).

Put ice into a shaker, pour martini, vodka, gin. Shake well.

Discard ice from a chilled cocktail glass.

Pour the drink from the shaker into the glass through a strainer (strainer).

Garnish the cocktail glass with a lemon zest spiral.

If there is no shaker, the cocktail can be prepared differently.

Put ice into a mixing glass, pour vodka, martini, gin. Gently mix everything with a spoon.

Cool the cocktail glass with ice. Throw away the ice.

Pour the cocktail from the mixing glass into a chilled glass through a strainer (strainer).

Garnish the drink with lemon zest.

Conclusion

James Bond fans spread the Vesper cocktail recipe around the world. There are many modifications of the drink.

It mainly depends on the gin, which gives the drink a juniper hue. At home, everyone can experiment. Try replacing the base alcohol (gin) with the one you have by following the recipe above. You will receive your original Vesper.

This is a drink for true gentlemen and brave men.