Consolidated "Vodka" thread
Mar 23, 2021 | 6:08 pm
#466
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Mar 23, 2021 | 7:43 pm
#467
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David
Mar 23, 2021 | 8:06 pm
#468
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Mar 24, 2021 | 7:06 am
#469
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I suspect the reason purists preferred stirred is that you can really taste the liquor, which is more difficult when it's near freezing. Considering that the original martini was gin, and the only correct martini in the UK is gin, shaking a martini so that it's ice cold would hide the gin. That's why James Bond had an odd order - why would a Brit hide the gin
? With the newer vodka martini, shaken makes a lot more sense, as vodka is so often served chilled or even ice cold.
Mar 24, 2021 | 7:38 am
#470
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I had never really thought about it, but this is a perfect description for the difference.
I suspect the reason purists preferred stirred is that you can really taste the liquor, which is more difficult when it's near freezing. Considering that the original martini was gin, and the only correct martini in the UK is gin, shaking a martini so that it's ice cold would hide the gin. That's why James Bond had an odd order - why would a Brit hide the gin? With the newer vodka martini, shaken makes a lot more sense, as vodka is so often served chilled or even ice cold.
I suspect the reason purists preferred stirred is that you can really taste the liquor, which is more difficult when it's near freezing. Considering that the original martini was gin, and the only correct martini in the UK is gin, shaking a martini so that it's ice cold would hide the gin. That's why James Bond had an odd order - why would a Brit hide the gin
? With the newer vodka martini, shaken makes a lot more sense, as vodka is so often served chilled or even ice cold.
Mar 24, 2021 | 8:20 am
#471
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My dad was a huge Bond fan. We had all the books and every time the movies were on TV he watched, so I used to know a lot of those movies by heart. I believe, at least in the first few movies, he actually ordered a Vesper which is a mix of gin and vodka, and uses Lillet instead of Vermouth. Being a kid, you don't really understand all that, but about a year ago we had some friends over and when I offered martinis or wine to start, the guy asked if I could make a Vesper. I recall just staring at him for a few seconds trying to process it...and then he told me what it was (the Bond drink!). I didn't have Lillet, but we did the vodka/gin mix with Vermouth (shaken not stirred) and it was still tasty.
Mar 24, 2021 | 8:32 am
#472
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My dad was a huge Bond fan. We had all the books and every time the movies were on TV he watched, so I used to know a lot of those movies by heart. I believe, at least in the first few movies, he actually ordered a Vesper which is a mix of gin and vodka, and uses Lillet instead of Vermouth. Being a kid, you don't really understand all that, but about a year ago we had some friends over and when I offered martinis or wine to start, the guy asked if I could make a Vesper. I recall just staring at him for a few seconds trying to process it...and then he told me what it was (the Bond drink!). I didn't have Lillet, but we did the vodka/gin mix with Vermouth (shaken not stirred) and it was still tasty.
Mar 25, 2021 | 5:34 pm
#473
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My dad was a huge Bond fan. We had all the books and every time the movies were on TV he watched, so I used to know a lot of those movies by heart. I believe, at least in the first few movies, he actually ordered a Vesper which is a mix of gin and vodka, and uses Lillet instead of Vermouth. Being a kid, you don't really understand all that, but about a year ago we had some friends over and when I offered martinis or wine to start, the guy asked if I could make a Vesper. I recall just staring at him for a few seconds trying to process it...and then he told me what it was (the Bond drink!). I didn't have Lillet, but we did the vodka/gin mix with Vermouth (shaken not stirred) and it was still tasty.
Had a Vesper once when a friend threw a Bond movie watching party. Fun for the novelty and authenticity of it all but I think I will just stick with vodka martinis when I'm in a martini kind of mood.
Mar 26, 2021 | 6:58 am
#474
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That's probably where I learned about it, I read most of the books when I was younger. That was probably 35-40 years ago so the memories are a little fuzzy! The books and movies get mixed up a little in my mind I suppose.
Mar 29, 2021 | 11:27 am
#475
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I don't remember James Bond ever ordering a Vesper in any of the movies but the drink was certainly mentioned and described in one or more of Fleming's Bond novels.
Had a Vesper once when a friend threw a Bond movie watching party. Fun for the novelty and authenticity of it all but I think I will just stick with vodka martinis when I'm in a martini kind of mood.
Had a Vesper once when a friend threw a Bond movie watching party. Fun for the novelty and authenticity of it all but I think I will just stick with vodka martinis when I'm in a martini kind of mood.
Mar 29, 2021 | 5:00 pm
#476
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This is also why I'm not a British secret agent.
Mar 30, 2021 | 9:30 pm
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Incidentally, the reason to stir and not shake is not about temperature, but about dilution. Gin watered down with little flecks of ice is just not a good drink. Gin served straight out of the freezer with just a drop of vermouth meanwhile is actually rather nice.