Vesper Martini

The Vesper is a James Bond drink, but less known than the classic vodka martini. It is nevertheless smooth and debonair, just like Sean Connery. However, things have changed in the world of booze since 1953 when the book The Vesper came out. Fifty-percent Gordon's Gin and Kina Lillet do not exist today. Kina Lillet was reformulated in the 1980s to remove most of the "Kina" part, the shade of bitterness provided by quinine. Therefore, a dash or two of bitters are required.

Ingredients:

• 3 measures 50-% Tanqueray gin
• 1 measure 50-% Stolichnaya vodka
• 1/2 measure Lillet Blanc
• 1/8 teaspoon (or less) quinine powder or, in desperation, 2 dashes of bitters

Shake well with ice and pour into a martini glass. Add a thin slice of lemon peel.