Justin Timberlake’s Cocktail Has A Hollywood History
So what was Justin Timberlake’s cocktail of choice before he was pulled over for drinking and driving on Long Island?
The very strong Vesper.
So what’s the deal with this drink?
A little history:
Once upon a time in the world of cocktails, the Vesper was born. Its creator? None other than Ian Fleming, the mastermind behind James Bond.
In 1953, Fleming introduced the Vesper in his novel “Casino Royale.” Bond himself ordered this iconic drink, making it an instant classic.
So, what’s in a Vesper? It’s a mix of three spirits: gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet, a type of vermouth.
Bond’s original recipe calls for three measures of gin, one measure of vodka, and half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it well with ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Add a lemon peel, and you’ve got a Vesper.
And in Timberlake’s case, a DWI charge and an embarrassing night in the clink.
Anyway, back to Justin Timberlake’s cocktail:
Why the name “Vesper”? Fleming named it after Vesper Lynd, Bond’s love interest in “Casino Royale.” Talk about romance in a glass!
Over time, the Vesper evolved. Kina Lillet, which gave the drink its unique flavor, is no longer available. Today, bartenders use Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano as substitutes. These tweaks keep the Vesper’s spirit alive, even if it’s a bit different from the original.
The Vesper isn’t just a drink; it’s a statement. It’s sophisticated, bold, and mysterious, just like Bond. When you order a Vesper, you channel a bit of that 007 charisma.
But now it’s taken a hit because of Timberlake.
Still. Maybe Timberlake chose this cocktail because drinking a Vesper feels like stepping into a spy novel. It’s a drink for those who appreciate history, elegance, and a good twist of lemon. So next time you’re in the mood for a cocktail, why not try a Vesper? Sip it slowly, savor the flavors.
But take an uber home.
The 8 Most Popular Cocktails in Boston on National Cocktail Day!
1. Margarita
Some say the cocktail was invented in 1948 in Acapulco, Mexico, when a Dallas socialite combined blanco tequila with Cointreau and lime juice for her guests.
I believe it.
Better get cracking on these though, there’s a tequila shortage on the horizon. Here’s a classic margarita recipe from Liquor.com:
Classic Margarita
2 ounces blanco tequila
1/2 ounce orange liqueur
1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 ounce agave syrup
Garnish: lime wheel
Garnish: kosher salt (optional)
Steps
Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until well-chilled.Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wheel and kosher salt rim (optional).
Margarita cocktail on white wooden table
2. Martini
James Bond was WRONG. Stir this sucker. Don’t shake it.
The Nick & Nora Martini is named for characters in “The Thin Man,” a novel by Dashiell Hammett.Nick & Nora Martini
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
Garnish: Spanish olive (no pimento)
Steps
Add the gin and vermouth to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.
Garnish with a small Spanish olive without pimento filling.
3. Espresso Martini
It’ll keep you up AND give you a little buzz. Go easy on these though.
Espresso Martini
2 ounces of vodka, 1/2 ounce of coffee liqueur (usually Kahlúa), 1 ounce of espresso, freshly brewed (or cold brew concentrate), 1/2 ounce of simple syrup, and optional garnish of coffee beans.
Ingredients
2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce coffee liqueur (usually Kahlúa)
1 ounce espresso, freshly brewed (or cold brew concentrate)
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Garnish: coffee beans
Steps
Add vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice and shake until well-chilled.Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with 3 coffee beans.
4. Bloody Mary
Good Morning! This is a great way to start the day.
Bloody Mary
Bloody or virgin mary cocktail served in a cup with celery sticks and cherry tomatoes.
Ingredients
Celery salt
1 lemon wedge
1 lime wedge
2 ounces vodka
4 ounces tomato juice
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 dashes Tabasco sauce
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch smoked paprika
Garnish: parsley sprig
Garnish: green olives
Garnish: lime wedge
Garnish: celery stalk
Steps
Pour some celery salt onto a small plate.Rub the juicy side of the lemon or lime wedge along the lip of a pint glass.
Roll the outer edge of the glass in celery salt until fully coated, then fill the glass with ice and set aside.
Squeeze the lemon and lime wedges into a shaker and drop them in.
Add the vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, Tabasco, Worcestershire, black pepper, paprika, plus a pinch of celery salt along with ice and shake gently.
Strain into the prepared glass.
Garnish with parsley sprig, 2 speared green olives, a lime wedge and a celery stalk (optional).
5. Cosmo
Carrie Bradshaw was NOT wrong. This is a great drink. Simple, sweet, and easy.
Cosmopolitan
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces citron vodka
3/4 ounce Cointreau
3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 ounce cranberry juice cocktail
Garnish: lime wedge
Steps
Add the vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, and cranberry juice cocktail into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
6. Old Fashioned
Thank you to Don Draper, who made these popular again.
Bourbon Old Fashioned
Ingredients
1 teaspoon sugar
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 teaspoon water
2 ounces bourbon (or rye whiskey, if preferred)
Garnish: orange twist
Steps
Add the sugar and bitters into a mixing glass, then add the water, and stir until the sugar is nearly dissolved.Fill the mixing glass with ice, add the bourbon, and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
Express the oil of an orange twist over the glass, then drop into the glass to garnish.
8. Cape Codder
This classic summer drink will get you from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sure, you might not remember anything, but it’s a refresher!
Cape Codder
Cranberry Vodka Cocktail with lime and ice on black table. Cape Codder Cocktail with cranberry juice and vodka, alcohol drink.
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces vodka
Cranberry juice, chilled, to top
Garnish: lime wedge
Steps
Add the vodka into a highball glass over ice.Top with cranberry juice and stir briefly to combine.
Squeeze a lime wedge over the glass and drop it into the drink.