007’s Vesper Martini: Postscript

When we last saw our heroine, she was drinking martinis with James Bond. Not actually with James Bond, but watching Bond movies. Ron and I have worked our way up to the final Bond movie released on DVD: Quantum of Solace. There are no surprises here: We’ve watched all these films before, and are panting to see Skyfall when it arrives on DVD. No surprises there, either: We saw it in the cinema and it was the best Bond, ever. But I digress.

In the line of duty: Taste-testing

I need to take a step back to yesterday’s blog and the recipe for James Bond’s Vesper Martini. 

In Quantum of Solace, I was shaken and just a little bit stirred to hear Bond’s barkeep recite the recipe for this drink as three jiggers of gin (Gordon’s, of course). In Casino Royale, the film just before this one, Bond said the drink called for two jiggers. Continuity error! Tut-tut! 

Today (in the name of research, naturellement), we scoured the Time Zone and the Latitude Where We Live in search of Kina Lillet, an ingredient 007’s Vesper Martini also requires (see my blog of Jan. 7, 2013). We learned that Kina Lillet appears to be off the market to all but 007. The closest substitute, I’m told, is Cocchi Aperitivo Americano, unavailable in our burg, but obtainable in California, which seems like a very good reason to hop the next jet.

By the way, I have been thisclose to current Bond-throb Daniel Craig, in the flesh. Not my flesh or his, mind you, but in a manner of speaking. Craig was walking the red carpet at the London premiere of Casino Royale a few years ago, and I was pressed against the fancy silk rope separating the plebs from the celebs (I was on the plebs’ side). How I got there is irrelevant, but my tongue is still sore. Cutie-pie Craig must have stepped on it while it was hanging out. But back to our movie … and our martinis!

Later this week: A Winter Dinner Party.