Casino Royale

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“‘A dry Martini,’ he said. ‘One. In a deep champagne goblet.’ ‘Oui, Monsieur.’ ‘Just a moment. 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 slice of lemon-peel. Got it?’” —Chapter 7

Published: 1953. Printed in the United States as You Asked For It (with the cover showing a leering 007 pouring himself a drink from a bottle of liquor).

Overview: We are first introduced to James Bond, Agent 007 of the British Secret Service. He plays a deadly game of baccarat with the evil Communist Le Chiffre, and has his heart broken by the duplicitous Vesper Lynd. Bond also invents a special martini, an early version of what will become his signature drink.

What does Bond drink?

• Bond’s inaugural drink occurs in chapter five, when he orders an Americano in the bar at the Hermitage hotel. When he first meets Vesper, he orders a Bacardi for her and a fine à l’eau (Cognac and water, not unusual in that day) for Rene Mathis.
• In his hotel room (following the explosion of the bomb), Bond finishes his “first straight whisky” as he prepares to eat a lunch of “pâté de foie gras and cold langouste.”
• In the casino that evening, Bond thinks about how he likes to have a glass of champagne or whisky as he gambles. Later, when he meets Felix Leiter for the first time, 007 orders the Texan a Haig and Haig on the rocks. Bond then orders a martini made with Gordon's gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet (see the quote at the top of this page). He explains to Leiter that he likes a drink that’s large, strong, very cold, and well-made. Bond also reveals that the drink is his own invention, and that all he needs for it is a good name. When the martini arrives, 007 takes a long sip, and tells the barman that the drink is excellent, but would be even better by using a vodka made from grain, not potatoes.

Fleming has been questioned for his use of the very bitter Kina Lillet as a key ingredient of the Vesper. For more, see our entry on Lillet in the Brands section.

As they talk, Leiter has a second scotch.
• In the chapter entitled “Pink Lights and Champagne,” Bond takes Vesper to the restaurant in the Hotel Splendide. He orders a carafe of chilled vodka for them to share. After they place their dinner orders, Bond considers ordering a Taittinger ’45. However, the sommelier instead recommends the Taittinger Brut Blanc de Blanc 1943. Bond approves, and remarks to Vesper that it is probably the finest champagne in the world. He then explains to her that he takes a ridiculous pleasure in what he eats and drinks. The vodka arrives, in a bowl of crushed ice, and Bond fills their glasses. He later drinks the champagne as he explains the intricacies of baccarat to Vesper.
• During the baccarat showdown with LeChiffre, an unknown benefactor provides Bond with half a bottle of Clicquot champagne and a glass. He fills the glass to the top and empties it in two long drinks. Later, after defeating LeChiffre, Bond shares a bottle of champagne with Leiter in the casino’s bar.
• In the casino’s nightclub, the Roi Galant, Bond orders a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for himself and Vesper. After “drinking a lot of champagne,” 007 orders another bottle. Later, when he asks for the bill, he takes a last mouthful of the champagne, but notes that it tastes bitter, “as the first glass too many always does.”
• When Bond and Vesper eat dinner on their first night at L’Auberge du Fruit Défendu (The Inn of the Forbidden Fruit), they share two bottles of champagne. After dinner, Bond drinks a brandy.
• During their final night in the inn, Bond and Vesper share another bottle of champagne. She remarks that “You drink much more than me. It’s not fair.” Later, she admits that she is tipsy.

Other people’s drinks: During lunch on their second day at the inn, Vesper takes a deep drink from a glass of wine after she sees the SMERSH agent. On the fourth day of their stay, she drinks “a lot” in an effort to be upbeat.

Other drinks mentioned: Dry gin martinis, and liqueur. Fleming also uses a great French phrase for cocktail hour, “l’heure de l’apéritif.”

Brand names: Taittinger champagne, Veuve Clicquot champagne, Gordon’s gin, Kina Lillet apéritif, Haig and Haig scotch whisky.

Other observations: In the first chapter, Bond lights his 70th cigarette of the day. That’s three-and-a-half packs.

Total: 13. An Americano, a straight whisky, a martini of Bond’s own invention that he later names after Vesper, a glass of chilled vodka, at least one glass of Taittinger Brut Blanc de Blanc 1943, at least three glasses of Veuve Clicquot champagne, at least four glasses of undetermined champagne, and a brandy. During the book, 007 drinks some four bottles of champagne.