What does a Vesper taste like?
A Vesper tastes like a bigger, rounder martini: gin and vodka together for a cold, strong, piney base, softened by a splash of Lillet and brightened with lemon peel.
Vesper
a martini with extra muscle
The Vesper is James Bond's martini from the novel Casino Royale: gin, vodka and Lillet, shaken very cold, with a long strip of lemon peel. The gin brings pine and herbs, the vodka makes it smoother and even stronger, and the Lillet (a French wine aperitif) adds a soft, honeyed, citrusy roundness that dry vermouth doesn't. The original Kina Lillet had a bitter edge from quinine, and some bars use Cocchi Americano to get closer to it. Expect something icy, silky and very boozy.
Where you’ll see it
On classic cocktail and martini lists, served up in a coupe or martini glass with a lemon twist. It's usually listed right next to the martini and priced like one.
Order it if you like martinis and want one that is a touch softer and even stronger.
Quick questions
- Is a Vesper stronger than a martini?
- Usually, yes. It is a bigger pour of gin and vodka with only a little Lillet, so it lands on the strong side even for a martini.
- What is Lillet?
- A French aperitif made from wine and citrus peel. Lillet Blanc tastes honeyed, orangey and gently bitter, and it is sometimes sipped on its own over ice.