James Bond's Signature Martini Order Is Wrong
James Bond, the iconic charming undercover agent, has a taste for the high life. His suits, on point. Watches, on point. Boats and cars, wait for it, on point. But, his martini order has us questioning why a sophisticated man like Bond would want his drink done all wrong: "shaken, not stirred."
A classic martini is made with gin and vermouth. The proportions of gin to vermouth can be adjusted based on personal taste preferences. Some people prefer a drier martini with less vermouth, while others enjoy a slightly wetter version with more vermouth. And, then there is Bond, who likes a medium dry vodka martini. 007's vodka preference is now a popular one when ordering the classic drink.
The perfect martini is all about balance and precision. Getting the ratio of these two ingredients right requires a fair bit of skill. Ice is added to the martini in the cocktail shaker to give it a chill. Then comes the mixing bit: shaken or stirred. And, that alone can make all the difference in having an elegant, aromatic martini, or a bruised one.
Stirred, not shaken
Shaking a martini causes the ingredients to bruise. James Bond may like his enemies bruised and banged up. But, why must we subject his martini to the same action? What did the martini ever do to you, Bond?
The delicate flavors and aromatics of gin, vodka, and vermouth suffer from the vigorous shaking with ice, altering their flavor. The ice also dilutes the drink when it is shaken. It also introduces more air into the cocktail, giving it a frothier texture. The resulting drink is cloudy, a look that is not emblematic of the perfect martini.
Stirring a martini tends to create a smoother and silkier texture compared to shaking. The gentle mixing allows the ingredients to combine without introducing as much air into the cocktail. Stirring is considered a gentler method that preserves the character of the chosen spirit. The resulting drink will be less diluted, retain more flavor, and won't be cloudy. Something you'd imagine Bond would know.
Gin or Vodka?
In both book and film adaptations, James Bond always orders a vodka martini. Getting gin or vodka is, of course, a personal preference. However, it is surprising Bond doesn't swing for the more aromatic and complex gin in his martini order.
The use of vodka results in a milder and less pronounced flavor profile. Vodka is a neutral spirit, so the emphasis is often on the vermouth and any additional elements like garnishes. The botanicals in gin add layers of flavor, including juniper, citrus, and other herbs. A gin martini tends to have a more aromatic and flavorful profile, with the gin itself contributing significantly to the overall taste.
Sure, Bond's martini order has taken a beating here, but it deserves it. Maybe he did it on purpose, testing his audience to see if they'd pick up on this eccentricity. Or he's flawed, just like the rest of us, and likes his drinks rowdy, not nice. We just can't help but think it's shocking. Positively shocking.