Shaken, Not Stirred

The Vesper cocktail originated in Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale as super-spy James Bond’s variation on his usual martini with olive. “Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.” Kina Lillet (which had the addition of quinine) is no longer made.

Amateur mixologist Kiera Wilhelm of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania created a new version of the potent mixture with the mellowing effect of fruit and warm spices. Caveat: As Bond said: “I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made.”