Certain cocktails are synonymous with particular people however few have the kind of association that the Vesper has with James Bond.
From the moment Ian Fleming put the words….
“Just a moment. 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. Got it?”
… in Bond’s mouth in Casino Royal in 1953 the Vesper became one of the coolest drink on the planet.
With this Bond heritage at front of mind Marblehead held the Twisted Vesper Cocktail Competition at the Palm Beach Casino in London’s Mayfair on 11th November, Bond’s birthday of course.
The invite only event featured a host of aspiring Bond’s looking to impress a panel of judges including the bar industries very own 007, Peter Dorelli and Marc Boussaguet, International Director of Lillet.
The 00 Agents competing included:
Danny Smith, Mahiki, London
Alessandro Palazzi, Dukes Hotel, London
Alex Kratena, Artesian bar, Langham Hotel, London
Dan Warner, Ambassador for Beefeater Gin
Malcolm Evans, Mojo bar, Leeds
Paul Mant, Quo Vadis club, Soho
They battled hard incorporating everything from a handgun, fluffy white cat to a Vesper Lynn-style wig into their cocktail creations.
1st Prize went to Alex Kratena, Artesian Bar at the Langham Hotel with this twist:
From Russia With Love
50ml Lillet Blanc
25ml Matrioshka Vodka
25ml Gordons Distillers Cut Gin infused with walnut and cherry wood
Method: Shaker
Glass: Traditional Russian Cup
Garnish: Lemon, orange & grapefruit zest
2nd Place: Alessandro Palazzi, Dukes Hotel
3rd Place: Malcolm Evans, Mojo bar, Leeds