Wild Knight Vodka Martini: A Classic Cocktail & It's Bond Connection
The vodka martini and its association with James Bond are deeply entwined. There are many different legendary stories about the origins of the vodka martini, but there is no doubt that its popularity was greatly enhanced by Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first Bond novel "Casino Royale" (first published April 13, 1953), Wild Knight Distillery looks at how the popularity of the vodka martini has developed.
In Ian Fleming's early novels, Bond's preferred drink was the classic gin martini. However, in the first Bond novel "Casino Royale," he orders a different cocktail called a Vesper, which is made with gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet (a type of vermouth).
The Vesper is named after the character Vesper Lynd, a love interest of Bond's in "Casino Royale." However, in later Bond novels, Bond began to order a vodka martini instead of a Vesper, and famously requested that it be "shaken, not stirred." Possibly Vespa invoked bad memories for Bond. Very obvious if you have seen the film!
Here's a simple recipe for the classic vodka martini:
10 parts Wild Knight Vodka
1 part Dry Vermouth
Garnished with a chilled olive on a stick or a lemon zest twist
Shake (or stir) all ingredients with ice and fine strain into a chilled glass.
The vodka martini is a popular cocktail, and there are countless variations on the classic recipe. Some people prefer their vodka martinis with more or less vermouth, or with different garnishes like olives or onions. But no matter how you make it, the vodka martini is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time.
Shaken, Not Stirred
The "shaken, not stirred" request has become an iconic part of the Bond character, but it's worth noting that it's not the only way to prepare a vodka martini. Shaking aerates the drink, making it colder and slightly more diluted than stirring achieves. The method of preparation ultimately comes down to personal preference, but the shaken version has undoubtedly become synonymous with Bond and the vodka martini. The popularity of the Bond movies over the decades helped to cement the vodka martini's place in popular culture. Whether you prefer your martini shaken or stirred, the drink is a classic that has stood the test of time. The Classic Vodka Martini.