Casino Royale

In celebration of my long birthday weekend, I will probably drink some martinis and maybe even watch a movie. What better movie to watch while indulging in martinis? A Bond movie! I do have to admit, I love a blond Bond, especially in Casino Royale. In Ian Fleming's 1953 novel, "Casino Royale", this martini is named for the femme fatale, Vesper Lynd. Bond orders a dry martini from the bartender by giving the recipe: "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?" Bond then explains "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 can think of a good name." So the Vesper is born...

Vesper Martini

• 3 oz of dry gin (Gordon's)
• 1 oz of vodka (James Bond and I both prefer 100 proof Stolichnaya vodka)
• 1/2 oz Kina Lillet (A French aperitif made from a blend of wine, brandy, fruits and herbs)
• lemon peel

Shake well with lots of ice until it is extremely cold, then pour into glass and add a large slice of lemon peel. Bond orders his drink to be poured into a deep champagne goblet but a martini glass works, too!

*Note* Since Kina Lillet is out of classic production to my knowledge, you can substitute dry vermouth or Lillet Blanc (Lillet Blonde)