Happy Hour 3 Ingredient: Classic Drunk Vesper
Happy weekend and welcome back to Happy 3 Ingredient Hour , a weekly drinks column featuring very simple yet delicious libations. This weekend we’re going to sip on a classic cocktail that’s basically just a glass of clear, cold alcohol: the Vesper Martini.
If you are familiar with James Bond canon, you have probably heard of Vesper. Instead of grappling with the question “vodka or gin?” Vesper bypasses this whole discussion by saying “damn it” and using both of these spirits. (To be honest, there is a lot more gin.) Aside from this dynamic duo, there is a bit of Cocchi Americano or Lillet in the drink, although I’m partial to Cocchi.
As I said, it’s just a cold drink, but it’s this third ingredient that makes it all surprisingly tasty, especially if you’re used to sipping martinis at all. Most recipes only require half an ounce of cocci or lille, but I prefer 3/4 because I find cocci delicious. To craft Venus you will need:
- 3 ounce gin
- 1 ounce vodka
- 3/4 oz Cocchi Americano or Lillet
Pour everything into a half glass (or stirring glass) filled with ice and stir, stir, stir. Stir more than you think, because dilution is very important here. (You can shake it up if you really want to embrace the whole connection, but you will have an overly aroused drink.) An under-stirred Vesper will have a sharp alcohol bite, and you don’t. I need this noise. Strain into your compartment glass and sip while wearing your trendiest threads. (If you want to increase the number of ingredients to four, you can garnish with a large strip of lemon zest. I won’t tell if you don’t.)