Experiments with the Vesper Martini

I thought I would share some ongoing research with you. A couple of years ago, in a James Bond movie (one of the recent ones with Daniel Craig - I think it was "Casino Royal"), he mentions a Vesper Martini, and I twigged on that - because I vaguely remembered it being mention in one of the old novels - see  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesper_(cocktail). But, at the time you could not get Lillet Blanc (the replacement for Kina Lillet) in Ontario. So, I tried:

3 oz Tanqueray

1 oz Absolut

3/4 oz Martini & Rossi white vermouth

Shake well, serve in a martini glass, with two twists of lime peel, I always keep the glasses the vodka and the gin in the freezer, but still, I take one ice cube out of the shaker and add that as well.

I was pretty favorably impressed! Nice flavor.  

A couple of nights ago, Kim & I were out for dinner, and I got taking to the bar tender ( the place was full, and we had a really nice dinner at the bar), and he mentioned that Lillet is now available in Ontario! So, the next night I went to the big liquor store down on Queen's Quay and picked up a bottle. So along came Friday night, and I figured I better give this a try! That night's first martini was:

2 1/2 oz Tanqueray

1 oz Polish Potato Vodka

3/4 oz Lillet

Shake well, serve in a martini glass, with two twists of lemon peel. Per usual: using glasses, vodka and gin from the freezer,  take one ice cube out of the shaker and add that as well.

Yummy. The Lillet adds a certain sweetness not found in the Martini & Rossi. But - I was a little under-impressed by the lemon. 

So .... I broke the rule ... and had a second martini  - and went back to the lime peel. Much better! I would say that lime peel is the way to go - and if you can get the Lillet - it is better than the white vermouth!

I strongly recommend you give one or several variations of the Vesper a try!

ps - I think I may have perfected the Manhattan - notes to follow!