How to Drink Like James Bond


We’d all like to live like James Bond, however realistically we’re never going to be taking down terrorist organisations, visiting exotic locales, and bedding gorgeous women every other week (Editors note: speak for yourself! I’ve bedded 3 fine dime brizzles this week alone). However there is one part of Bond’s lifestyle we can easily emulate, and thats his love for the hard stuff. So continuing our celebrations of 50 years of Britains super spy on the big screen we present you with a guide to drinking like Bond.

001. The Vesper

Probably the most iconic drink associated with Bond, although it has only ever actually appeared once in Flemming’s books (Casino Royale) and twice in the films (both Daniel Craig venutres, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, in which he drank 6 on the plane). As detailed in Casino Royale the drink is comprised of 3 measures of Gordons Gin, 1 measure of Vodka and 1/2 a measure of Kina Lillet, shaken very well over ice until it’s ice-cold (seriously guys make sure it’s ice col or this stuff tastes like lighter fluid!), and served in a Champagne Goblet with a thin peel of lemon. However the recipe for Kina Lillet has changed since the original inception of the cocktail which throws the drink off balance, Cocchi Americano is considered by most to be the most suitable replacement for recreating the original taste of the Vesper.

002. Vodka Martini (shaken not stirred)

The other drink most associated with Bond, this one’s a lot simpler than the Vesper simply mix 3 measures of Vodka with 1 and 1/2 measures of Vermouth, shake well over ice and serve in a traditional cocktail glass with either lemon or lime peel. Bond has also been known to drink a Gin Martini, however Vodka is usually the drink of choice…

 

003. Champagne

Traditionally Bond has tended to veer towards Bollinger or Dom Perignon. However why not go the whole 10 yards and celebrate his 50th in style with one of these limited edition Bollinger 007 bottles, seriously check out how awesome the case it comes in is!

004. Bourbon

Throughout the books Bond also displayed a huge preference for Bourbon, a passion he shares with his boss M. In Skyfall M (played by Dame Judi Dench) will be seen drinking Macallan Directors Edition, so if you have a penchant for whiskey this is the one to pick up!

005. Mint Julep

Not exactly one of James’s drinks of choice, however he can be found drinking it at Auric Goldfinger’s Kentucky stud farm in Goldfinger. To make your own Mint Julep combine 4 sprigs of mint, 2 and a half measures of whiskey, 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons of water and serve in a glass over crushed ice.

006. Rum Collins

Another cocktail that isn’t entirely a regular drink for James, however I didn’t hear him complaining in Thunderball, when Largo gives Bond a Rum Collins. So if you fancy making one (or getting your nemesis to mix one up for you) all you need to do is shake together 2 measures of light rum, the juice of 1 lime, 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar with ice and strain into a collins glass over ice cubes. Fill with carbonated water and stir, to complete garnish the drink with 1 lemon slice and one cherry.

007. The Lazy Option

Of course most of these require a certain amount of effort (or moohlah) so don’t forget you can always kick back and chill with some Heineken (James Bond‘s beer of choice since they paid a lot of money for the privilege  although I seem to remember him drinking another beer in one or two books *cough*Corona*cough*) or even some Coke Zero, which have some great looking Bond inspired bottles out at the moment (I’ve lined one of my shelves with the metal ones), and hey why not mix it with some Vodka in true Bond style (the Coke not the beer…. although….)

 

If you’re UK based then check out thewhiskyexchange.com  where you can find all the ingredients for The Vesper, as well as the Macallan Directors Edition Whiskey, and the limited edition 007 Bollinger, and you can catch Skyfall in cinemas later this month on October 26th.