BOND: DRINKS AND DESTINATIONS

Martini, shaken, not stirred.

James Bond has become just as famous for his drink choice as well as the bevy of beauties hanging of his arm, but with the release of Skyfall today, Bond seems to have controversially changed his drink of preference to a Heineken beer.

To celebrate 50 years of the world’s suavest spy, Couturing have put together their top Bond drinks and destinations.

1. VESPER MARTINI 

Named after double agent Vesper Lynd, played by Eve Green in Casino Royale, the Vesper Martini  is thought to be the true Bond Martini by die-hard Bond fans, rather than the classic Vodka Martini. Casino Royale was a fictional casino located in exotic Montenegro. This luxe South European destination formed the perfect background for Bond’s high stakes poker game with villian Le Chiffre.

Recipe

• 3 measures of Gordon’s Gin
• 1 measure of vodka
• 1/2 measure Kina Lillet
• lemon peel for garnish

Preparation

Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.

2. VODKA TONIC AND GIN AND TONIC

The Vodka Tonic and Gin and Tonic made appearances in Dr No and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. In Dr No, Bond investigates a missing colleague in tropical Jamaica, which leads him to find the mysterious island of recluse Dr No.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was the only movie where Bond was played by Australian George Lazenby. Based in Portugal and Switzerland, Bond faces villian Blofeld who habours grand plans to sterilise the world’s food supply.

Recipe

• 2 oz vodka
• 2 oz tonic water
• Lime wedge for garnish

Preparation

1. Combine ingredients in an ice-filled highball glass.
2. Add the lime to garnish.

3. AMERICANO

Bond’s drink of choice when he is looking for something more relaxed than his usual hard cocktails, is the Americano which features in Casino Royale and From a View to Kill. Based in California, Roger Moore’s Bond races to stop villain Max Zorin, played by Christopher Walken, from destroying Sillicone Valley.

Recipe

• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Club soda
• Lemon twist or orange slice for garnish

Preparation

1. Fill an old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
2. Build with the Campari and vermouth.
3. Top off with club soda.
4. Garnish with the lemon twist or orange slice.

4. MOJITO

Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day, was drinking this refreshing drink when he met the glamourous Jinx played by Halle Berry. Although not featured in the books, the Mojito was the perfect beverage of choice for the hot Cuban climate and also a very popular drink choice at the time of production.

Recipe

• 2 tsp sugar
• 6-8mint leaves
• Club soda
• 1 lime, halved
• 2 oz light rum
• mint sprig for garnish

Preparation

1. Place the sugar, the mint leaves, and a little club soda into a highball glass.
2. Mix well to dissolve the sugar and to release the mint flavor.
3. Squeeze the juice from both halves of the lime into the glass.
4. Drop one half of the lime into the glass.
5. Add the rum.
6. Stir well.
7. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
8. Add the rest of the club soda.
9. Garnish with the mint sprig.

5. STINGER

Not the manliest of drinks, the Stinger makes its appearance in Diamonds Are Forever and Thunderball. The perfect dessert cocktail, Bond also paired the drink with coffee for a strong pick-me-up. Based in ‘over the top’ Las Vegas, Diamonds Are Forever sees Bond face off against his nemesis Blofeld who is involved in a diamond smuggling operations. In Thunderball, Bond heads to the exotic Bahamas to recover missing nuclear missiles. As always, Bond is surrounded by bikini-clad beauties as he faces up against SPECTRE agent Amilio Largo.

Recipe

• 1 3/4 oz brandy
• 3/4 oz white creme de menthe

Preparation

1. Pour the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with crushed ice.
2. Stir well.

You can also shake the ingredients with ice cubes and strained into a chilled cocktail glass.