How to Make the Ultimate Vesper Martini | Alessandro Palazzi of DUKE's Bar

There are Vespers and then there are Vespers...this is the latter. Come with us to Duke's Bar in London where we meet master bartender Alessandro Palazzi who has become world famous for his Vesper Martini. Not only will you find out the ingredients and techniques used to make this perfect cocktail, but you will also hear the storytelling of how this James Bond drink is interpreted at this historical location!
#jamesbond #ianfleming #vesper #bartender #dukeslondon #007 #danielcraig #seanconnery #thebondexperience ‪@dukeslondon‬
_________________________________________________________________________________
When David is not running an advertising and marketing company, his hobby is The Bond Experience which is primarily a video blog where he discusses Bond experiences and the people and brands that help to create those experiences...
The mantra of living like Bond, one moment at a time emanates from a concept of experiencing the joy of collecting small moments in life that add up to amazing journeys and stories....whether it's through style, locations, literature, fitness, and the movies themselves the world of Bond is explored through its people and their stories.
Ultimately though, The Bond Experience channel is a celebration of the James Bond franchise and the many people that form a true community. Our core mission is to create a strong connection in the Bond community amongst all the fans, regardless of interest or demographic.
_
The Bond Experience is not affiliated with any James Bond copyright holder and is an unofficial entity.

[@KnightOwl1881]

I LOVE this video! 1) The Vesper is an enigma drink to make today. and most importantly 2) Alessandro is a MAGNIFICENT story teller. I really appreciate seeing people who are passionate masters of their craft

[@Willismcnillis]

His knowledge is awesome, and the way he says “spot on there Mr Bond.“ This gentleman could’ve made a wonderful Bond Villain.

[@FroMarty]

Unique method, straight to glass and let the flavours intertwine. I have often heard that adding Angostura bitters to Lillet blanc is close to the flavour of Kina Lillet, I should try it

[@gordons3071]

I've heard the same thing about adding Angostura bitters to Lillet blanc - I do it all the time.

[@santishorts]

For a bit more detail, here Alessandro replaces the no longer existing Kina Lillet with "Sacred English Amber Vermouth". Sacred is a small english producer so it's probably hard to find those products outside the UK. A more common replacement (and a more widely available one) is Cocchi Americano, which has become a bit the standard replacement these days. If not that one then Lillet Blanc (by the same distillery which originally made the Kina Lillet).

[@chumpey]

I was literally sat at that very table, four days ago drinking a lovely gin martini. Dukes makes an incredible martini and now I freeze my gin. Salute 🍸

[@PharaohMan007]

Thanks for sharing that! It was fascinating to hear the story and instructions from that gentleman.

[@alwaysabondgirl1301]

I do enjoy a Vesper martini!! Definitely will try this version! Cheers! 💋🍸

[@DickTruth]

David, in your videos with Calvin and elsewhere, you mention the lifestyle moments in Bond movies, especially the drinking and dining scenes. I'm right there with you--some of my favorite elements of the Bond Universe involve the selection of food and the ordering of drinks. Relatively minor, but incredibly important for the essence of the character. Fantastic video, cheers!

[@zacharychaplin2841]

Great video! Really interesting guy, great to hear his thoughts and stories on the drink 👍

[@sncollins2004]

Staying in St James. Saw the 007 exhibit at Bollinger in the Burlington Arcade, went to Floris to sample the new 007 fragrance, and going to see Alessandro tonight. Love your channel. Cheers!

[@YOLT]

Great video! In 2016 I visited Duke’s and had the honor of Alessandro mixing a Vesper martini for me while he told the history of the cocktail. It was a truly incredible experience. Great to see him getting a lot of recognition.

[@nicolascapone3179]

Dave, the best video for my 38 birthday. Thank you very much!!!! Hugs from Argentina...

[@Swehiort]

What a storyteller this Alessandro! Cool to have such experience that you pour the drink without measurements. Will for sure visit Dukes Bar one day.

[@kristy77a]

January 2024: I am a bit late to this party, but I just viewed and very much enjoyed this video, thanks. Looks potent and delicious. Alessandro is such a gentleman! The wife and I are planning our first ever visit to London this autumn and a visit to Dukes is planned. I understand Dukes can be very busy at times and doesn’t take reservations. I noticed that the bar was not particularly busy during your visit. As a practical matter, can you recall what time of day were you there? Thank you.

[@TheSpecialExecutive]

Not familiar with the vodka, but No. 3 is an outstanding gin selection. Going to have to visit DUKE'S and give Alessandro's Vesper a try. Thank you David, very enjoyable.

[@bendakstarkiller1270]

Love to see a Polish vodka used with a WW2 espionage twist to it. Potocki is the name of a noble family from Poland who have played various roles in our history- some good, some bad. Cheers David!

[@Nukeskywalker45]

he's so incredibly cool!

[@sadnessinabox]

This looks glorious! One day, the wife and I will get to Dukes!

[@simonfirth2018]

A wonderful bar and a wonderful video. It is as a result of a Vesper at Duke's that I started to freeze my vodka, gin and tequila for a variety of cocktails. For negligible part, I find the No.3 Gin to be a little too botanical when mixed with the Lillet and Angostura. I use Plymouth, Sipsmith or similar, and Reyka or Grey Goose vodka. My 'go to' drink now.

[@michaelpoplawski2998]

Well done.

[@daytona1965]

Had my first Vespa at Dukes back in May. Wife took me for my birthday. 🍸

[@chrisisnowliftingstuff3248]

Great video!

[@gordons3071]

David, another great video! THANK YOU! The Vesper is a family tradition. When Casino Royale was released, we had plans for my wife and I and our daughter and son and their spouses to attend the opening together. Our son-in-law found an article in Esquire magazine with the quote and recipe from Fleming's novel and we made our first Vespers together. Awesome times! We're definitely going to try this variation on it! ps. I tell everyone that I used to think that I was an avid Bond fan - and then I found you, and through you, the other crazy Bond nuts. I feel like an amateur, but we absolutely love your channel! 😎

[@edwardiii8409]

Excelsior

[@daytona1965]

Just been to Crockett & Jones Jerymn St. and bought my Islay boots (From Skyfall). Now sitting in Dukes having a Vespa 😁

[@rickwigington2771]

I started making them with 3 parts gin and one part vodka because I was low on vodka. Who knew I was doing it right? Wish I'd known about the bitters. I had some and didn't know to use them in the Vesper.

[@xr500t]

I'd like one of those "fumey" Martinis!

[@rorrt]

One thing which isn't often mentioned, Alessandro touched on it. But, Gordons gin back in the day was STRONG! Not 37.5% or presumably 40% in the US (UK minimum for spirit is 37.5% for the US it's 40%). Same for vodka, would have been stronger than 40%.. It's a thing in the UK which has become a lost art form, which is to hold your drink. He [Bond] orders this fancy drink, I can't remember if in the novel like the film. The others at the table order the same drink. But its the ultimate masculine power move.. Bond can hold his drink, but can he out drink the others at the table.

[@killickoffroadarts]

Alessandro has always been super cool. Simply a great guy.

[@peteryttergren6118]

Should the Angostura Bitter be aromatic or orange? It seems that generally orange bitter goes better with Gin.

[@leerollins7555]

"My friend... bring me one as well; keep the fruit."

[@nathan_woodgate]

Be interesting to know the cost of this drink? Cheers

[@SolarLabyrinth]

My wife and I visited Duke's Bar a few years ago before dining at a 2 Michelin star restaurant in London. I had two Vespers while at Duke's and between them and the wine at dinner, remember very little of the most expensive meal of my life. Totally worth it, but Alessandro is not wrong -- drink them too quickly and you will be out of commission quickly.

[@Asshole88]

Not tried one. Are they any good? I've seen David enjoy them over the years .

[@user-sj4hb2qp3i]

A shaken martini is called a Brandfort.

[@PaulPetit-df6mt]

Could you share the introduction music reference please? shazam does not recognize. Thanks 🍸 🕵

[@christhornycroft3686]

Kina lilet doesn’t exist anymore. I think it’s called lilet Blanc now and it’s sweeter, like everything else.

[@denniswhite9721]

The orange throws me.

[@k.b.7718]

I couldn't get the name of the brand of vodka he used. Can anyone help me out?

[@peteryttergren6118]

Potocki

[@k.b.7718]

@@peteryttergren6118 thank you

[@dtuk22]

001st ....Cheers🍸

[@vcirulli]

I was there a few years ago and had a vesper, easily the best martini I ever had. See you there next week. Cheers

[@William-0415]

This bar is in London?

[@alwaysabondgirl1301]

Yes, in London. I live in the USA.....I will have to take a plane to go to the Duke's Bar. Maybe one of these days, or months I can?

[@William-0415]

@@alwaysabondgirl1301 Thanks. I'm gonna look it up on Google.

[@user-rn8cg4vo2b]

Best Vesper is 2 parts of Gin 1 part of Lille no vodka needed. Enjoy

[@FroMarty]

Isn’t that simply a gin martini?

[@user-rn8cg4vo2b]

@@FroMarty it's just a name, you can call it a Susanna, it's just tastier

[@MrFacePeck]

I often add a little less vodka, little more lillet. 3 measures of gin, .5 vodka and 1 lillet.

[@oddballssherman3785]

During this interview someone asks Henry Cavill how he likes his Martinis. Interesting answer! He raises his eyebrow all through this though, its like Roger Moore came back to us kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGrXiGB6nLqel9E

[@nomilkinmyveins824]

I don't think you should be touching the glass my friend. A rookie mistake. The stem is there for a reason. He took a big portion of the video explaining why it should as cold as possible and you are warming up the drink immediately with your fingers) I still envy you tho...big time..

[@RogerOThornhill]

Looks like a perfectly fine cocktail. Not a Vesper.

[@jethrojacinto2798]

I agree. Too many changes to be considered a true Vesper

[@leebush4053]

He doesn't claim its a Vesper. He states more than once its a homage to the original

[@williamcoolidge9884]

@@leebush4053 The title of the video says "How to make the ultimate Vesper martini." But it's not a Vesper.