Lockdown Libations no. 17: Right Word

Right. After an Easter weekend break, we’re back. And just in time for a return to some restrictions in Alberta.

Let’s have a cocktail.

My friend, Dan McPhee, has been making a series of cocktails over on Facebook and one I immediately bookmarked was this, the Right Word. A play on the Last Word — which is such a great cocktail name — this drink swaps Last’s green chartreuse for a combination of St. Germain and Lillet Blanc. I’ve used these in cocktails before (week no. 1’s Peruvian Elder Sour and the Vesper Martini for week no.3, respectively) but we’re definitely at the point where liquors are going to be repeated — though there are still others that haven’t been cracked yet, so I will start prioritizing those.

Those who have been following along will know the Vesper didn’t blow my skirt up, so I was despairing a bit that this huge bottle of Lillet Blanc — a fortified white wine — was going to continue to sit unused in my cupboard.

Gin, Lillet Blanc and St. Germain

(Not so that Les Subversifs gin, which is my second bottle. Makes an excellent Gibson, which I am currently so devoted to that I’ve just made my own batch of cocktail onions. Good lord, what a finicky process.)

Given it contains two liquors I’ve had a hard time using up through this project, I really wasn’t sure what to expect of this cocktail. Turns out, I like the floral undertones and slight sweetness mixed with the tang of lime.

Regular rotation? Maybe not. But one I would happily revisit.

Pouring the Right Word

Right Word

Right Word

  • 3/4 ounce gin
  • 3/4 ounce Lillet Blanc
  • 3/4 ounce St. Germain
  • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime

To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the gin, Lillet Blanc, St. Germain and lime juice. Shake vigorously for 15 to 30 seconds, until the vessel is cold to the touch. Strain into a coupe or martini glass.

 

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Lockdown Libations no. 3: Vesper Martini

Hello!

And helllloooooo….

Daniel Craig

No, that’s not entirely gratuitous. There is a point in having Mr. Craig join us here and that’s because he was the impetus for this week’s cocktail.

The streaming service Crave recently added the entire Bond library and I thought it would be fun to watch them in order. So, I started with Dr. No and … guys, it’s so boring! Good lord, movies have changed a lot. So, I changed my tactic and decided to do a mini marathon of all the most recent films, starting with Casino Royale. It is likely my favourite of all the Bond films, for many reasons — no, not just the bathing suit scene — not the least of which is I could listen to Eva Green read the dictionary.

That scene of them on the train? Fire.

Which brings me to the Vesper Martini.

Vesper Martini IV

It’s as much as a plot device as a cocktail — almost a character, even.

Although the majority of the cocktail is gin, what sets it apart from other martinis is the addition of Lillet, a French aperitif made from a blend of wine and citrus liqueur.

I had a bottle in the cupboard of wonders because, cough, cough, I bought it when Casino Royale first came out and I was intrigued by the Vesper. Can we file this under ‘better late than never?’

Vesper Martini ingredients

Most recipes call for Gordon’s, but I don’t have any. This seemed like a good time to crack my Sipsmith gin, which was part of the martini box I purchased during the first lockdown from Proof and to use some of my Schramm’s — an organic potato vodka from Pemberton, B.C.

This is a boozy wallop of a cocktail. More than four ounces of liquor — no filler.

Vesper Martini overhead

And, to be honest, not my favourite. While I can down a Bourbon Old Fashioned, a Boulevardier and a multitude of other straight-liquor cocktails, I struggled with this one. I think the flavour combination just didn’t do much for me.

So, while I’m glad I tried it, I am going to have to find other ways to enjoy Lillet. Perhaps, as the French do, just deeply chilled with a slice of lemon.

(Aside, interestingly, and so very Bond-like, there is a definite debate on whether this is better shaken or stirred. In this particular movie, Bond says he doesn’t care. Some sites argue shaking dilutes too much — which, incidentally, is why Bond does have that preference as it is said he needs to have his faculties about him — and it should be stirred instead. For what it’s worth, I used my shaker, which is why the instructions call for it. I’m sure Bond would be fine if you’d prefer to stir.)

Garnish

Making a lemon twist

Martini pour

Vesper Martini I

Vesper Martini

  • 3 ounces gin
  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc
  • lemon twist

Add the gin, vodka and Lillet to a cocktail shaker with a healthy amount of ice and shake until well-chilled.

Strain into a chilled glass. Rub the lemon twist around the rim of the glass and then add to the drink.

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