Shaken or stirred, a classic Casino Royale Martini is the ultimate way to feel like James Bond in your own kitchen. Also known as the Vesper Martini after Bond's love interest Vesper Lynde, the Casino Royale Martini is suave and sophisticated.
This twist on an iconic drink will impress any of your guests while also featuring smooth flavors that make it easy to enjoy.
Note: This recipe is intended for readers 21 and up; please enjoy responsibly.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
The simple combination of gin, vodka and the Cocchi Americano (or our provided substitute) and lemon twist makes for an extremely well balanced martini with layers of flavor that linger long after you've finished your glass.
Whether you’re hosting friends for happy hour at home or looking for something special to bring along as an unexpected potluck contribution, the Casino Royale Martini has got you covered!
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Ingredients
Forget anything complicated with elaborate ingredients, this martini recipe is easy to make without taking too much of your time in the kitchen - just simple ingredients and a few steps to get it all together. So relax, take a seat at your own 'casino' barroom, and give this beloved drink an elegant spin!
- Gordon's Gin - Of course you can use any gin you prefer, but Bond requested Gordon's originally.
- Vodka - not a flavored vodka, just a good regular Vodka like Grey Goose, Stolichnaya, Absolut, or Smirnoff.
- Cocchi Americano - You can also either Lillet Blanc or White Vermouth with a few drops of Angostura bitters, for both to get a similar flavor profile if Cocchi Americano is not available.
Cocchi Americano is a Moscato-based aperitif that includes gentian, quinine and citrus for a flavorful, refreshing profile, almost the same as the original Kina Lillet Bond requested, which was discontinued from production in the late 1960's.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make a Casino Royale Martini
If you're a fan of classic cocktails, then don't miss out on the delicious Casino Royale Martini. This subtle and sophisticated drink is sure to captivate your taste buds while giving you that fancy feeling as if you just stepped onto the floor at Monte Carlo.
Add Ice to a Cocktail Shaker
Remember, while normally pure spirit cocktails are stirred, Bond requested his Casino Royale Vesper martini to be shaken, not stirred. A shaken spirit based cocktail will dilute faster, allowing a MI6 operative to drink more, without dulling the senses.
- Start with a medium scoop of ice cubes and dump into your cocktail shaker.
Measure & Add the Booze
- Using a cocktail jigger, measure the Gordon's Gin, Vodka, and the Cocchi Americano (or the substitutes using Lillet Blanc & a few drops of Angustura bitters, or White Vermouth with a few drops of bitters).
Pour each jigger of booze into the cocktail shaker.
Shake and Serve
- Cap the cocktail shaker and give the contents are few back and forth shakes.
- Using a cocktail strainer, or the strainer lid of the cocktail shaker, pour your Casino Royale Vesper martini into a glass.
- Garnish with a bit of twist of lemon.
How to create a twist of lemon:
- Grab you lemon. Using a channel knife, put the blade at the top of the lemon with your thumb applying a little pressure as you move the knife around the lemon in a downward spiral.
- An easy lemon twist hack is to slice your lemon into ¼" slices, then make a cut anywhere to then open the slice up. Peel out the fruit segment section until only the peel strip remains.
- Your ¼" wide strip of lemon can be used as garnish in cocktails, fish, or vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Any Happy Hour or celebration involving cocktails would welcome this drink. Ring in the New Year or surprise your significant other on Valentine's Day with a Casino Royale martini.
If you'd like a few more cocktail classics, see our Grasshopper Martini, Cheesecake Cocktails, and Jim Beam Old Fashioned.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions
Originally, Flemming's Bond character ordered a drink at the Casino Royale, instructing the bar tender to use Gordon's gin, Vodka, and Kina Lillet, and a twist of lemon. Kina Lillet is a type of bitter aperitif made with cinchona bark, and is a quinine based appertif. It was discontinued in the late 1960s though.
The Cocchi Americano is preferred as a replacement, but White Vermouth or Lillet Blanc, either with a few drops of Angostura bitters, is an excellent substitution.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. You will want a basic cocktail shaker, a shot measure, and stirring spoon.
- Basic Cocktail making tool set - Three basic pieces, cocktail shaker, stirring spoon, and a shot measure.
- Advanced Cocktail making tool set & holder - Perfect for a WIDE variety of cocktail recipes, to include citrus seed strainer, zester, etc.
Storage
This cocktail does not store for later. Enjoy it right after mixing up and shaking when it is at it's best.
Tips for Success
- The Cocchi Americano is WORTH getting to make this Casino Royale martini!
- An easy lemon twist hack is to slice your lemon into ¼" slices, then make a cut anywhere to then open the slice up. Peel out the fruit segment section until only the peel strip remains.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Ian Flemming, the author and creator of the James Bond novels and character, made his own cocktails in the 'shaken, not stirred manner'. He had the Bond character 'invent' this James Bond cocktail in the Casino Royale novel. It had been a cocktail Ian Flemming was toying with & perfecting in real life.
No, White Vermouth, also known as Vermouth Bianco, falls somewhere between sweet and dry.
They are a concentrated blend of herbs and spices with flavor notes of cinnamon and clove. The exact recipe is a closely held secret by the Trinidad and Tobogo based company that makes them. They are concentrated in an almost 50% alcohol base, and do not need refrigeration. A few drops to a cocktail add balancing depths of flavor.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Casino Royale Martini
Ingredients
- 3 oz Gin Gordon's or your favorite
- 1 oz Vodka Absolut, Grey oose, Smirnoff
- ½ oz Cocchi Americano See Notes for Substitutes
- Ice large cubes
- thin lemon twist
Instructions
- Start with a medium scoop of ice cubes and dump into your cocktail shaker.Ice
- Using a cocktail jigger, measure the Gordon's Gin, Vodka, and the Cocchi Americano (or the substitutes using Lillet Blanc & a few drops of Angustura bitters, or White Vermouth with a few drops of bitters). Pour each jigger of booze into the cocktail shaker.3 oz Gin, 1 oz Vodka, ½ oz Cocchi Americano
- Cap the cocktail shaker and give the contents are few back and forth shakes. Using a cocktail strainer, or the strainer lid of the cocktail shaker, pour your Casino Royale Vesper martini into a glass. Garnish with a bit of twist of lemon.thin lemon twist
Notes
- You can also either Lillet Blanc or White Vermouth with a few drops of Angostura bitters, for both to get a similar flavor profile if Cocchi Americano is not available.
- An easy lemon twist hack is to slice your lemon into ¼" slices, then make a cut anywhere to then open the slice up. Peel out the fruit segment section until only the peel strip remains.
- This makes a large enough cocktail to split between two smaller glasses, if desired.
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