James Bond’s famous “vodka martini, shaken, not stirred” is not a real martini, as a true martini is made with gin and never shaken. The drink Bond actually consumes is called a Vesper. A classic martini is made with gin, vermouth, and an olive, and should be served cold without ice. Variations include the Gimlet, which adds lime juice, and the Pacifier, which includes black coffee and Kahlua liqueur.
It could be considered the best known drink in the world. James Bond walks to the bar and asks for a vodka martini, “shaken, not stirred”. However, according to mixologists around the world, this famous drink is not a real martini. First, a martini is never shaken, and second, it’s a gin-based cocktail; mix it with vodka and it just isn’t a martini.
The drink that is consumed in large quantities by James Bond is known in the bar as Vesper. The reason he asked to be shaken is because shaking the drink dilutes it and has allowed Bond to keep his head clear. Making a classic martini is very simple. Have a good gin and a splash of vermouth; the ratio should be around 15 to one, although for a stronger drink the ratio could be increased to 20 to one.
After mixing the spirits together, the mixture should be strained into a glass and an olive should be added. Another rule is that there should never be an onion placed in a martini. If there’s an onion, then it’s called a Gibson.
The martini is meant to be a cold cocktail, but since the glass shouldn’t contain ice, the glass should be chilled beforehand. This can be accomplished by placing the drink in a freezer or by placing the glass half full of water in a refrigerator. Alternatively, you can mix the martini with ice before straining it into a shot glass. You should also hold the glass by the stem so the heat from your hand doesn’t warm the drink.
The classic martini is a strong drink, and for this reason, cocktail makers can offer a variety of martini-based drinks. The Gimlet cocktail is a basic martini with lime juice added. It’s tarter than the classic drink, but nowhere near dry. At once cloudy and bright, it looks like a glass of bitter lemon but tastes much more pleasant.
Pacifiers are supposed to have been invented at sea to avoid scurvy. Sailors always had plenty of limes, but they didn’t want to drink lime juice non-stop. If lime juice is a little too bitter, how about a martini with a shot of black coffee and some Kahlua liqueur? It’s guaranteed to keep you awake, but feel pleasantly sweet at the same time. Sounds like the sort of thing James Bond would order first thing in the morning.
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