Breaking Down The Vesper Mocktail

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4th September 2024
This post was written in collaboration with James Eddy

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The Vesper cocktail appeared in the 1953 book, Casino Royale. It was a martini, and it was named after Vesper Lynd, a fictional agent. In the movie, it is served in a champagne goblet. Gin, Lillet, and vodka are added, along with a slice of lemon. At that moment, the Vesper became an instant hit with Bond fans from around the globe.

Bond has Inspired More than just Cocktails

Bond has inspired more than just the famous Vesper cocktail. The novel has inspired different fashion lines, along with watches and even roulette strategies. If you have ever played online roulette at Paddy's, you’ll notice that there are several roulette strategies on the page. This includes the Martingale Strategy, Reverse Martingale Strategy, Fibonacci Strategy  and D’Alembert Strategy. What a lot of people don’t know is that you also have the James Bond strategy. It’s a combination bet, where you split $200 across three bets.  The bets usually span across high numbers, six lines, and a single number. Overall, James Bond has been influential in a lot of different ways, and interestingly enough, he’s even inspired a mocktail, known as the Vesper Mocktail.

Ingredients for a Vesper Mocktail

Ingredients for a Vesper mocktail include non-alcoholic gin. You also need non-alcoholic vodka, along with a non-alcoholic dry aperitif. Lastly, no Vesper mocktail would be complete without the iconic lemon twist. Simply put 2fl of non-alcoholic gin and vodka into a shaker, along with 1 tbsp of non-alcoholic dry aperitif. Fill the shaker with ice, shake, and strain. Add the lemon twist and you’re good to go.

Another classic combination would be the cucumber Vesper mocktail. Add cucumber juice and omit the lemon slice to create a new twist on a classic drink. It’s that simple, and a great hit with those who want the full James Bond experience but in a mocktail form. 

As time goes on, more and more people are choosing to drink mocktails over other beverages as they give you the chance to be part of the cocktail culture without having to stock your spirit cupboard. As mocktails become more popular, more and more companies are now starting to produce new options as well. As a result of this, mocktails are now better-tasting than ever, with new infusions and botanicals being added to ensure a diverse and flavourful taste experience.

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Infused botanical kits are also becoming more popular, as people can add them to a range of drinks to try and gain a flavourful edge. Even though the Vesper mocktail contains lemon, it’s not uncommon to see mint, rosemary, basil, thyme, and sage used in mocktails. Spices such as black and pink peppercorns tend to work well in juniper berry concoctions, with vanilla bean becoming a more and more utilised ingredient.

Lastly, dried flowers are also becoming more trendy, so if you want to do your take on the Vesper mocktail or if you want to steep different things to try and impart more flavour, don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new.

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Bartender's top tip

The way you pour ingredients can affect your cocktail's final taste. Pour slowly and steadily to ensure proper mixing. When layering cocktails, use the back of a spoon to gently add the next ingredient so they don’t mix prematurely. This technique is essential for creating visually stunning layers in drinks like the Pousse-Café.

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