Master The Classics: Vesper

I will say for those of you who don't know that the vesper was created by James Bond creator Ian Flemming and was included in the book Casino Royale. When Bond orders the drink this is what he says:
"In a deep Champagne goblet. Three Measures of Gordon's Gin, one of Vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice cold then add a large slice of lemon peel." If you do what most people do and decide that one measure is one ounce then you end up with a five ounce cocktail. And maybe that's what you want, maybe you had a hard day. But when people come to my bar I don't want to knock them off their stool right off the bat. So I decided to take the specs down to a reasonable size and I replace the Lillet with Cocchi Americano. Some say that Cocchi is closer to the old style Lillet called Kina Lillet because it had a good deal of cinchona bark in it's recipe and Cocchi still does. Lillet on the other hand swears they didn't change the recipe they just reintroduced it as Lillet Blanc in 1986. I use Cocchi because I find it delicious in this drink but if you want a more traditional build then definitely use Lillet. Cool. That's what i got for you. Enjoy!

Tutorial starts at: 2:00

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Here's The Specs:

2.25oz (67.5ml) Gin
.75oz (22.5ml) Vodka
.5oz (15ml) Cocchi Americano
Lemon Twist

[Solitude_]

Been watching you from close to start and love how far you've come and more confident with each video released. The intro gave me a goofy grin <3

[JWomack]

I make this all the time as an apéritif. it definitely needs a couple dashes of bitters to balance it out in my opinion as the cocchi adds a fair amount of sweetness, although I understand on keeping it "by the book". Cheers for this one!

[bernardmulligan]

You don't want a 5oz cocktail. I drank 2 last night and I really wish I hadn't.

[DielanByah]

Best cocktail channel on youtube by far imo. Thank you!

[PasticheCactus]

The acting experience came in handy for the intro.

[pharaohblackwell]

Lately I've been sipping a really interesting variation at the California Clipper in Chicago. Called the Skarbek it uses Zubrowka vodka and adds another interesting layer of flavor instead just upping amount of alcohol. Cheers!

[ruthgovanbader]

I'm not sure if another Brit has already commented this, but reading your description, Bond says one *measure* of gin etc. In the UK we have legal measures of spirits. For gin and vodka it's 25ml (or 35ml, but not on the same premises). So your measurements are almost bang on, you just should have gone metric and it would have made more sense! In the UK its a single, a triple and a half, adding up to around 112ml. Hope that's helpful!

[BigManBigStyle]

Just made one and it was perfect. Would shaking it instead of stirring it change it drastically, and why does Bond request it shaken?

[mikebaker]

If you are nitpicky, the Vesper as described in the book is shaken and the preferred vodka for the cocktail is grain-based. Black Cow is made from milk whey.

If you are a normal person... neither of those two things really matter in the slightest.

Great video.

[ambroisevalet]

Gordon's Gin and Lillet Blanc (which isn't vermouth by the way) are used. I think the book also mentions to use a russian vodka

[pbr-streetgang]

Yes sir, very tasty drink! Thanks for the vid.👍🏼👍🏼

[butopiatoo]

I wish you’d do some videos comparing vermouth and other mixers. What does lillet blanc vs chocci taste like. What’s your fav red sweet vermouth? Can you sub lillet or chocci for dry vermouth? Etc. these flavors are an important part if what’s going on I would think

[garlicgirl]

First I thought of all those who complain about the intro...LOL! Then I yelled with excitement, "WOOO HOOO!!!" Love the intro. You nailed it.

[TigasCraft]

James Bond was definitely an alcoholic

[stephanparis]

5oz isn't that much since Bond wants it "shaken not stirred ". Personally i prefer my Vesper shaken into next week, comes out cold with shards of ice, so refreshing!

[pcmacintyre]

The first Vesper I ever tried was with Cocchi Americano. I loved it. A couple years later I tried it with Lillet Blanc and found it both flat and flabby. A friend of mine has bottles of the old Kina Lillet and confirms that the taste did change.

[butterthyme]

Rando question! Why did you change your way of holding the jigger?

[randeon]

A dry martini, ' he said. 'One. In a deep champagne goblet.'
'Oui, monsieur.' 
'Just a moment. 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. Got it?' 
'Certainly monsieur.' The barman seemed pleased with the idea. 
'Gosh, that's certainly a drink, ' said Leiter. 
Bond laughed. 'When I'm ... er ... concentrating, ' he explained, '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. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I think of a good name.'

— Casino Royale,  Chapter 7: Rouge et Noir[1]

[Dr_Binx]

It is the finest drink that has ever been dreamed up

[EtzEchad]

Have you tried shaking it (not stirred?) I know you aren't supposed to do that, but it would be interesting to have someone taste-test it that way. Who know? Maybe its great!