The Liquid Muse

Celebrity Sips

James Bond

This is the first Celebrity Sips devoted to a fictional character. However, if there is any fictional, fantastical character to fit the bill, it’s James Bond. From the marvelous mind of writer, Ian Fleming, came the man men want to be and the man women want to… well, you get the picture.

Fleming first created the Bond character in 1953 and wrote numerous novels and short stories featuring him. James Bond exploded into icon status in American pop-culture when first personified by none-other than swoon-inducing Sean Connery in 1962. Subsequent actors portraying British Agent 007 include: George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.

Today, the world waits with baited breath and giddy anticipation to see actor Daniel Craig take on the legendary role in the twenty first official film, Casino Royale.

The modern return to classic glamour permeates all levels today’s hip-factor, and epitomized in the way we drink. In honor of Casino Royale, Smirnoff Vodka Cocktail Consultant, Cameron Bogue brings back the original Vesper Martini, named for Bond girl, Vesper Lynd (portrayed by Eva Green). Vodka is a long-standing staple in the world of Fleming-style espionage entertainment. The Bond character first called for a vodka martini at the Casino Royale-les-Eaux in the original novel, Casino Royale, and bottles of Smirnoff Vodka are seen in the first Bond flick, Dr. No, in 1962.

In our recent interview, Bogue points out, “Before Bond ordered his martini “shaken,” cocktails were stirred.” Cameron indicates that James Bond’s sophisticated and assertive style influenced pop-culture to such an extent that the current generation of bartenders and mixologists shake their cocktails.

So fellas, before heading off to the cinema tonight, stir up a little pre-film fun with Cameron’s version of these classic cocktails, and impress your date. After all, no girl can resist a Bond-man!

Classic 007 Martini
1 1/4 oz. Smirnoff® Vodka
Splash of dry vermouth
Shake well with ice, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Cameron says: “Classic and smooth, just like Bond himself. Master making this martini and it is easy to make your own variations.”

The Vesper
3/4 oz. Gordon’s Gin
1/4 oz. Smirnoff® Vodka
Splash of Lillet Blanc or dry vermouth
Shake well with ice, and serve in a martini glass garnished with a large thin slice of lemon peel.

Cameron says: “The best of both worlds for those enjoy both vodka and gin martinis. Bond ordered his martinis with a lemon peel garnish, but you can also garnish with a maraschino cherry, orange or olive.”


Smirnoff® Modern Martini
1 oz. Smirnoff® Vodka
1/4 oz. Triple Sec
1/4 oz. Pinot Grigio
Shaken, not stirred and served up with flamed orange zest for garnish.

Cameron says: “Many classic cocktails use sherry or vermouth for acid balance. I wanted to use ingredients available in every bar so I decided to try Pinot Grigio. And, flamed orange zest is a classic garnish.”