The Vesper cocktail originated in Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale as super-spy James Bond’s variation on his usual martini with olive. “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.” Kina Lillet (which had the addition of quinine) is no longer made.
Amateur mixologist Kiera Wilhelm of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania created a new version of the potent mixture with the mellowing effect of fruit and warm spices. Caveat: As Bond said: “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.”
Apple Spiced Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- •5 ml (1 teaspoon) ground cinnamon
- •5 ml (1 teaspoon) ground ginger
- •5 ml (1 teaspoon) ground allspice
- •5 ml (1 teaspoon) ground nutmeg
- •198 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
- •1 apple, sliced ¼ inch thick
- •118 ml (½ cup) water
- •118 ml (½ cup) apple juice or cider
Preparation
Place all ingredients in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Strain into airtight glass container, cool and refrigerate. Will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Kiera Wilhelm’s Spiced Vesper Twist
Ingredients
- •60 ml (2 fluid ounces) gin
- •30 ml (1 fluid ounce) vodka
- •30 ml (1 fluid ounce) Lillet Blanc
- •Juice of ¼ lemon
- •Apple Spiced Simple Syrup, to taste (see recipe)
- •Lemon twist, for garnish
Preparation
Combine ingredients in ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into cocktail glass, with or without ice. Garnish with lemon twist.
Evensong Mocktail
Ingredients
- •Apple Spiced Simple Syrup (see recipe)
- •Club soda
- •5 ml (1 teaspoon) lemon juice
- •Orange bitters
- •Apple slice, for garnish
Preparation
In a highball glass with a few ice cubes, mix Apple Spiced Simple Syrup, to taste, with club soda, lemon juice, and a dash of orange bitters. Garnish with an apple slice.