Recreating the Casino Royale Vesper

[Pompidou]

The closest I've gotten is:

3 shots of Tanqueray No. Ten gin (to remain close to the original Gordon's proof)

1 shot of Stolichnaya vodka blue label for the 100 proof

1/2 shot of Lillet Blanc white wine

Lemon peel

I haven't been able to get ahold of actual Quinine powder. Using tonic water and using Angostura bitters have been tried. I think the latter tastes better. I imagine letting most of the water evaporate would be one way to get Quinine from the tonic water. Lillet Blanc is the successor to the original Kina Lillet which had a hefty amount of the Malaria killer in it.

No bars I've come across in CT, MA and RI can recreate the drink even as well as I've done so. I doubt I ever would have if it weren't for a good friend and her Independence Day surprise - buying each of the components and offering Vespers and black and red caviars to watch fireworks to. Anyone else ever bother?

 

[Adcurium]

I've had this cocktail on my 'to do' list forever (I'm a huge Bond fan). I once found a website that had pages and pages devoted to the drink. I'll see if I can find it annulled report back if I'm successful.

 

[rumblefish]

I imagine letting most of the water evaporate would be one way to get Quinine from the tonic water.

I like your ingenuity!:eusa_clap

I think letting the tonic to evaporate would leave a whole lot of unwanted sugar. I've seen quinine extract or something similar sold somewhere, can't remember where though. Ebay maybe? Some premium tonics like Q or Fever Tree start out less sweet. Have you tried either of these? You may need only a splash (of course flattened).

Good luck, I'm looking forward to hearing about your best recipe!

Have you tried growing you own cinchona tree?

 

[Smithy]

I think letting the tonic to evaporate would leave a whole lot of unwanted sugar.

I think you're right Chris. Also modern tonic really doesn't have much quinine in it at all so you'd have to probably evaporate a lot of tonic to get any real amount of quinine.

Saying that the drink sounds great and I also think you've been most ingenious!

 

[LordBest]

A chap I know was doing some part time work at a very old wine shop in country Victoria. While poking around in one of the older parts he found a case of Kina Lillet from a couple of years prior to it being discontinued. He bought it off the store owner for a pittance and sold it on to Bond enthusiasts for a disgustingly large amount of money.

 

[Absinthe_1900]

You'll want to try Cocchi Americano from Haus Alpenz, to replace the Kina Lillet.

Along with Bonal, the only modern Quinquinas to reach our shores anytime soon.

http://www.alpenz.com/portfolio.htm

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Excellent question, one I have been pondering for years.
I've even tried Quinine (bark) infused Lillet, smelled like it was going to do the job but in reality, not much difference.


This may be of interest though:
http://summerfruitcup.wordpress.com/2010/07/04/the-vesper/