Cocktail - a drink made by mixing vodka, rum, cognac, grape wines, fruit and vegetable juices, milk, ice, etc.
Knowing some secrets and following recipes, you can treat yourself and your friends at home party with delicious alcoholic cocktails. Who has not heard of the famous Mojito, Bloody Mary, Americano, Daiquiri or Vesper? A cocktail is a drink that is easy to prepare and drink, beautiful, quickly gives a feeling of lightness, relaxedness and joy.
The history of the cocktail
In which country did the first cocktail appear? No one remembers.
The British claim that the first drink appeared in them. The name comes from "cock tail", which means "horse of mixed blood" among horse racing enthusiasts (they usually have funny tails sticking out like roosters have).
The French are convinced that the cocktail was invented by the Frenchman, who served a mixed wine drink in an egg glass (Coquetier).
In Spain, it is believed that the “cocktail” came from the Spanish expression “rooster tail”. That was the name of the plant, the root of which the Spanish bartender mixed alcoholic beverages.
In the United States, the name “cocktail” comes from the cock tail - the cock tail.
There is a story that in 1770, the bartender lost his favorite cock. For his return, he promised to marry his beautiful daughter. The officer found a nibbled fugitive. The bartender's daughter, delighted at the upcoming wedding, mixed different drinks. The bar regulars dubbed the cocktail booze.
Cocktails gained wide popularity in the 20s of the last century. It was then that classical alcoholic mixtures appeared: Americano, Cuba Libro, Mary Mary, John Collis, Vesper (Bond cocktail), Manhattan, Daiquiri and others.
History of Vesper
Many famous drinks have their legends and their heroes.
One of them is the legendary Vesper cocktail. The Casino Royale (a novel by Jan Fleming, written in 1953) is the primary source of the Vesper recipe.
The author of the famous James Bond novels, Jan Fleming, was a drinker. His book hero throughout the "Bond" uses a variety of alcoholic beverages, the recipes of which are described in novels.
The Vesper cocktail was invented by the writer Ivar Bryce, and Fleming shared a friend’s recipe in “Bond” with the main character.
In the novel "Casino Royale", James Bond orders a bartender a cocktail of his own recipe. This drink he names in honor of the mysterious Vesper Lind. She was and remains the only true love of Bond.
The famous spy compared the drink with his beloved: once you try the Vesper cocktail, you will never forget its taste, just like the beautiful Vesper Lind. And Bond was right.
Vesper Cocktail: composition (classic)
The classic composition of Vesper is given in the first novel by Jan Fleming about agent 007. In it, Bond orders the bartender a cocktail of the following composition:
- dry Martini in a large glass;
- "Gordon" (gin) - three fingers;
- vodka (preferably wheat) - one finger;
- “Kina Lillette” (dry French aperitif) - half a finger.
Shake well in a shaker to ice temperature, put a large slice of lemon.
Bond explained the recipe with his dislike of half-heartedness. Agent 007 preferred one cocktail before dinner, but strong, cold, well prepared and in a large glass.
In the original, James Bond never said the famous phrase "Shake, but do not mix!" These words are attributed to the agent in the films. Sean Connery first spoke them in the movie Goldfinger in 1964. Since then, this phrase has become "branded", in each next episode, James Bond, ordering a drink, invariably repeated: "Shake, but do not mix."
Indeed, martini with vodka is usually stirred, and Bond asked to shake in a shaker.
The aperitif Kina Lillet, popular in England in the 50s of the last century, gave the drink a hint of bitterness, as it included quinine and a mixture of fruit liqueurs with dry French wine.
How to cook "Vesper"
Aperitif "Kina Lillet" according to the original recipe is no longer available. The amount of quinine was reduced in the drink, and its taste changed, it became more fruity. A similar drink is called Lillet Blanc, which is not widely sold in Russia. It can be replaced with a white dry martini, vermouth or a similar drink.
So, the modern Vesper recipe requires:
- vodka - 15 milliliters;
- gina - 45 milliliters;
- dry white martini (vermouth) - 7.5 milliliters;
- ice - 300 grams;
- lemon zest - a spiral with one piece.
Pour a handful of ice into the cocktail glass (for cooling).
Put ice in a shaker, pour martini, vodka, gin. Shake everything well.
Throw ice out of a chilled cocktail glass.
Pour the drink from the shaker into the glass through a strainer (strainer).
To decorate a glass with a cocktail with a spiral of lemon peel.
If there is no shaker, the cocktail can be prepared differently.
Put ice in a mixing glass, pour vodka, martini, gin. Gently mix everything with a spoon.
Cool the cocktail glass with ice. Throw out the ice.
Pour the cocktail from the mixing glass through a strainer (strainer) into a chilled glass.
Garnish with a lemon zest drink.
Conclusion
James Bond fans spread the Vesper cocktail recipe all over the world. There are many modifications to the drink.
Its taste mainly depends on gin, which gives the drink a juniper hue. At home, everyone can experiment. Try replacing the base alcohol (gin) with the one you have, following the above recipe. You will receive your original Vesper.
This is a drink for real gentlemen and brave men.