James Bond made the Vesper famous. The “shaken not stirred” vodka martini (personal note: NOT a proper martini!) may be the fictitious British super-spy’s favorite libation, but he actually made the Vesper a known quantity in the cocktail world. A unique take on a non-traditional martini the combination of gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc is not to everyone’s taste, but it is..cool. I present the Magnus Vesper; a whiskey lover’s version that would do Bond’s creator Ian Fleming proud.
Flavor Profile: Herbal Lemon
Maurice
Materials
- 2 1/2 oz Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
- 1 oz George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond
- 3/4 oz Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao
- 1/2 oz Tuaca
- 5 oz Heavy Cream
- Dollop of Marshmallow Whip
- 2 dashes Chocolate Bitters
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a Boston shaker filled with ice
- Shake for approximately 30 seconds
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice
- Garnish: Skewered Peanut Butter Cup
My Take
Believe it or not, whiskey aficionados, gin is an incredibly popular spirit amongst whiskey distillers (oh, the horror). There is a very simple reason: it’s an unaged spirit that is easy to produce, and can yield tremendous profit. Take Bruichladdich, for example. The Islay-based superstar scotch distiller has one of the best gins in the world: The Botanist. Following in Bruichladdich’s footsteps we have Washington D.C.’s Jos. A. Magnus & Co. Vigilant Navy Strength Gin. Its unique flavor profile includes mint which matches perfectly with the aloe liqueur. Joseph Magnus triple finished bourbon gives the cocktail ample backbone and a little funk. Finally, the lemon bitters make the overall flavor profile of Magnus Vesper a lemony/ mint accord that is refreshing and complex.
Music Pairing
“You Know My Name” Chris Cornell (various versions)
Casino Royale is my favorite of the recent Bond flicks. Soundgarden’s front man Chris Cornell gave a powerhouse performance for the opening of the movie which is available as a single, and on various other releases. Sadly, Cornell is no longer with us, but we will always have his music.
Cheers!
