Shaken, not stirred.

This past Sunday, my good friends John and Katie came up with the brilliant idea to have a James Bond party. Who doesn't love Bond? (Not anyone I've ever met.) As usual, the party was an excuse for us to dress up, drink somewhat expensive booze, and revel in our own classiness (not really about the reveling part).

John Bond-Felty

Trifecta Bond-ing

The best thing about parties at John and Katie's is they never ignore the details. For the Bond party, they made sure we had all ingredients on hand - or as close as we could get to the original ingredients - for Vesper martinis, 007's signature "shaken, not stirred" cocktail.

The Vesper as written in 1953 by Ian Fleming (Casino Royale) was made as follows:

"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."

James also drank it in a champagne flute (or "goblet") rather than a martini glass.

Vesper ingredients, circa 2009

The problem with updating the Vesper is that booze itself has changed since 1953. Both the gin and vodka were stronger (Stoli would have been 100 proof). Kina Lillet no longer exists. However, we did our best with Boodles gin and Lillet Blanc. We didn't worry about the glassware since martini glasses are bigger now (Bond's whole reason for ordering the drink in a champagne goblet was for larger portion size).

(For more on the evolution of the Vesper, check out this article from Esquire.)

Anyway, our version of the Vesper as mixed by John Felty was delicious - if you like drinks that taste like booze that is, which I do. It was cold and refreshing and honestly, how can you not love something that has gin AND vodka? Bonus points to the Vesper for being so aewsome that it even looks classy when served in a plastic martini glass.

No one needs to booze to realize that Daniel Craig insanely sexy. The guys may have regretted planning a double feature of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace when they realized they'd be watching with six or seven girls who all sighed in delight every time Daniel Craig graced the screen.

Overall, it was a great party - good movies, good food, good booze, and excellent company. I will be anxiously awaiting the next party - and the next Bond movie, for that matter - but for now, I leave you with photos:

Strawberry Fields with three random Bond girls in black

D-Train with the Bond girls