Cyclops happens to be a huge James Bond fan, I think that Ian Fleming’s series of Bond novels might be the only thing other than comics that he reads. Suffice it to say we were definitely seeing the latest incarnation of Bond on screen, Skyfall, opening weekend.

One of the best things (admittedly sometimes one of the worst things) about dating a nerd is that when they are super in to something, everything revolving around it turns into an event. For the release of Skyfall, we had a “James Bond” weekend, which involved dressing up very classy outfits, watching Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace and sipping on a myriad of martinis. Booze and Daniel Craig in a suit, sounds like a perfect weekend to me!

I figured instead of writing a review on Skyfall, which I very much enjoyed and am assuming you are all going to see whether or not I endorse it, that I decided to share with you my favorite martini recipes from our Bond weekend.

For our first martini I will lead from a fun fact from Cyclops, James Bond (or Ian Fleming) invented his very own martini, called a Vesper. Here’s the excerpt from Casino Royale when he lays it down.

“A dry martini,” [Bond] 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 thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?”

“Certainly, monsieur.” The barman seemed pleased with the idea.

“Gosh, that’s certainly a drink,” said Leiter.

Bond laughed. “When I’m…er…concentrating,” he explained, “I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink’s my own invention. I’m going to patent it when I can think of a good name.”

—Ian Fleming, Casino Royale

Well said Bond, well said. Anyways this drink is very strong (it’s basically pure alcohol), and might have burned my insides a little bit but Cyclops throughly enjoyed it and felt very Bond-like while drinking it. Check out the full recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 3 measures of Gordon’s Gin
• 1 measure of vodka
• 1/2 measure Kina Lillet
• lemon peel for garnish

Preparation:

The Vesper according to Ian Fleming and James Bond:“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 thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?”

P.S. – I noticed that in all three Daniel Craig Bond movies, he never finishes an entire Vesper…curious.

Now for my favorite martini of the night, a Bikini Martini. I admit it’s probably the girliest martini you can make, but it was delicious.

So if you haven’t seen Skyfall yet, mix yourself up a drink or two and go watch Daniel Craig in all his glory.

I will just leave you with the soulful sounds of Adele while you are hopefully sipping on a Vesper.