Happy Birthday 'I'...

 While I doubt anyone referred to him as I, Ian Fleming, could have gone through this moniker.  Or perhaps Fleming, Ian Fleming, station J...Jamaica.  In any case, today we celebrate the man's birthday who created James Bond.


Fleming who himself was a British Naval Intelligence Officer during World War II likely had a first class seat, due to his assignment as well as his upbringing, to spy craft in its golden age of espionage.

Beyond the explosions and Walther PPK/s that appear again and again throughout the series, no Bond film would be complete without his martini.

In a bit of an unusual departure in Casino Royale though, Bond moves from the ubiquitous vodka martini - shaken, not stirred - and 
goes for the Vesper, the drink named after Vesper Lynd, Bond's love interest in the film.

For those fans who do not remember the recipe, the Vesper is made with:

• 3 measures of Gordon's Gin
• 1 measure of vodka
• 1/2 measure Kina Lillet (Kina Lillet is a White or Blanc Lillet. It's a brand of dry vermouth  made in France since the late 1800's that is often referred to as "the apèritif of Bordeaux".)
• Lemon peel for garnish

Here is hoping you celebrate Mr. Fleming's birthday with a proper Vesper martini.