Legendary cocktail "Vesper": recipe

A cocktail is 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 at a home party with delicious alcoholic cocktails. Who has not heard about the famous "Mojito", "Bloody Mary", "Americano", "Daiquiri" or "Vespere"? Cocktail - a drink that is easily prepared and drunk, beautiful, quickly gives a feeling of ease, relaxedness and joy.

History of cocktail

In which country did the first cocktail appear? No one remembers.

The Englishmen assure us that the first drink came from them. The name comes from "kok teil," which means "horse of mixed blood" (they usually have funny tails like cocks).

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 the "cocktail" was derived from the Spanish expression "cock tail". This was the name of the plant, the root of which the Spanish barman mixed alcoholic beverages.

In the US, it is believed that the name "cocktail" came from the cock tail - the cock tail.

There is a story that in 1770 the barman lost his favorite cock. For his return, he promised to give his wife a beautiful daughter. The officer found a plucked fugitive. The daughter of the barman, delighted with the upcoming wedding, mixed different drinks. The bar's habitants dubbed the drink a cock tail.

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

The story of "Vesper"

Many famous drinks have their own legends and their heroes.

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

The author of the famous James Bond novels Ian Fleming was a lover of drink. His book hero throughout the "Bondiana" uses a variety of alcoholic beverages, the recipes of which are described in novels.

The "Vesper" cocktail was invented by the writer Ivar Bryce, and Fleming shared his friend's recipe in the "Bondiana" with the main character.

In the novel Casino Royale, James Bond orders a cocktail to the bartender according to his recipe, which he calls after the mysterious Vesper Lind, who was and remains Bond's only true love.

The famous spy likened the drink to his lover: after trying once a cocktail "Vesper", his taste will never forget, as well as the beautiful Vesper Lind. And Bond was right.

Vesper cocktail: composition (classic)

The classical composition of "Vesper" is given in the first novel by Ian Fleming about the 007 agent. In it, Bond orders a cocktail of the following composition for the barman:

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

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

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

In the original, James Bond never said the famous phrase "Shake up, but do not mix!" These words were attributed to the agent in the films. For the first time, Sean Connery said it in the film "Goldfinger" in 1964. Since then, this phrase has become "proprietary", in each subsequent series James Bond, ordering a drink, invariably repeated: "Shake up, but do not mix."

Indeed, Martini with vodka is usually stirred, and Bond asked to shake in the shaker.

The aperitif Kina Lillet, popular in England in the 1950s, gave the drink a bitter note, as it included quinine and a mixture of fruit liqueurs with dry French wine.

How to cook "Vesper"

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

So, the modern recipe for "Vesper" requires:

• Vodka - 15 milliliters;
• Gin - 45 milliliters;
• Martini (vermouth) white dry - 7.5 milliliters;
• Ice - 300 grams;
• Lemon peel - a spiral with one piece.

In a cocktail glass pour a handful of ice (for cooling).

In the shaker, put ice, pour martini, vodka, gin. All shake well.

From a chilled cocktail glass, throw ice.

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

Goblet with a cocktail decorate with a spiral lemon peel.

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

In a glass for mixing put ice, pour vodka, martini, gin. Gently mix everything with a spoon.

Cool the cocktail glass with ice. Ice to throw out.

In a chilled glass through a strainer (strainer) pour the cocktail out of the mixing glass.

Garnish with a lemon rind.

Conclusion

Fans of James Bond distributed the recipe of the cocktail "Vesper" around the world. There are many modifications of the drink.

The taste of it mainly depends on the gin, which gives the drink a juniper tint. At home, everyone can experiment. Try to replace the basic alcohol (gin) with the one that you have, following the recipe given above. You will receive your original "Vesper".

This is a drink for real gentlemen and brave men.