top of page

James Bond Original Martini Recipe

MGM

In Casino Royale (1953), Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel, Agent 007 orders a martini “shaken, not stirred” for the very first time in literary history:


“A dry martini,” he said. “One. In a deep champagne goblet.”


“Oui, monsieur.”


“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?”


“Certainly monsieur.” The barman seemed pleased with the idea.


“Gosh, that's certainly a drink,” said [Felix] Leiter. 


Bond laughed. “When I'm ... er ... concentrating," he explained, "I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold, and very well made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I think of a good name.”


Here’s the OG original recipe below. Granted, Gordon's Gin isn't as strong as it was back in Fleming's day (when it was 94 proof; now it's 80 proof), so if you want the full, boozy effect, get a modern 94 proof London dry gin like Tanqueray.


Depending on where you live, Russian vodka may be hard to come by, but if you can't get the best (Russian), substitute with a vodka that is 100 proof. Also, Kina Lillet is no longer bottled, so you should substitute it with Lillet Blanc instead.



The Original 007 Martini Recipe


  • 3 ounces Tanqueray London Dry Gin (94.6 proof)

  • 1 ounce Russian vodka (100 proof)

  • 1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc

  • Fresh lemon peel


  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

  2. Add in gin, vodka and Lillet.

  3. Shake for 30 seconds or longer, till ice cold.

  4. Strain into a chilled champagne goblet glass (OG James Bond style); or a chilled martini glass.

  5. Hold a thin lemon peel / twist over the glass, and squeeze out some of the oils.

  6. Rub the lemon peel's underbelly 360-degrees around the glass's rim.

  7. Drop the lemon peel into the glass.

  8. Enjoy! 




Subscribe to My Newsletter 

Welcome to the tribe. You're subscribed!

Shop & Support

bottom of page