Vesper

The Vesper is James Bond’s trademark vodka martini from Casino Royale, and I can’t believe I haven’t featured it before now. It’s actually not the traditional vodka martini Bond usually favors.

This drink recipe calls for two ingredients that have been reformulated or are now unavailable, so I’ve listed substitutions. Now, here’s the bad news: it’s not a well-loved drink. In fact, Bond never orders another one in the books. I suggest going with 1 ounce of gin and 3 ounces of vodka to balance the flavors better. (If you love gin, equal proportions work well, too.)

Vesper

• 3 ounces Gordon’s Gin (try Tanqueray instead)
• 1 ounce vodka (Stolichnaya Blue is ideal)
• 1/2 ounce Kina Lillet (no longer available; try Cocchi Americano)

Fill a shaker with ice and pour in the ingredients. Shake until it’s ice cold and strain the mixture into a champagne saucer). Garnish with a slice of lemon.