My Dad's best friend, A.J.I., was a saloon manager. A real professional partier. He never went out on New Year's Eve. Once I got old enough to care, I asked him why he seemingly ignored what seemed to be a natural night of revelry for him.Simple kid. New Year's Eve is amateur night, man. Every joker who doesn't drink all year goes out, gets bombed, and then drives his car around. Not my kind of scene.
Sage advice. Just the sort of thing Dean Martin might have said. Every year since I heard Mr. AJI's rule I have adhered to it. This year, however, Holman and Finch Public House and Restaurant Eugene, two of my favorite places in Atlanta, Georgia, have teamed up to host the ultimate James Bond party. Check out the Holman and Finch website for the particulars of what promises to be a truly Epic event.
I will probably not travel to Atlanta for the party. Tedious cost issues may well prevail. But that doesn't mean we can't all enjoy a James Bond New Year's Eve. Put on a DVD of Dr. No or Goldfinger, put on the white dinner jacket, and treat yourself and your favorite Bond or Bond Girl to the best cocktail anywhere...the Vesper:
3 parts gin [Gordon's from the Bond canon]
1 part vodka [brand not specified by JB in the canon; in the movies, Smirnoff usually]
1/2 measure Kina Lillet [a French aperitif, not a vermouth]
Shake vigorously until very cold and serve up. Garnish with a long, thin slice of lemon peel.
Do not even try to make a Vesper without Kina Lillet. Amazingly, I can get it from the only decent liquor store in my town, so you should be able to find some too. No matter where you live. Trust me. But be warned. This is no drink for amateur night. You have to be in training to drink Vespers. With that in mind, have one anyhow. The perfect Bond welcome for 2011! Cheers!
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7 comments:
great post, Mr. Lane. Happy New Year.
Love the Vesper....after reading the recipe i Casino Royale....featured it on bar menu at my Jazz Club...great cocktail
Great post. 'From Russia with Love' will get a viewing sometime over the next few days. Memorable New Year's Eves have, for the most part, been spent at home (or in the homes of others) with family and friends.
AJI might've known my Dad: don't party New Year's, and don't drive on big holidays, let the amateurs have it.
Sadly, Kina Lillet has not been in production since 1986 and one must substitute Lillet Blanc (unless, of course, one happens to have an old bottle hanging around). If you add pinch of quinine powder it apparently tastes like the original Kina Lillet (or so I am told; being all of 22 years old I obviously was not around to sample it). In any incarnation, however, the Vesper is a delicious and perfect cocktail for New Year's Eve or any other night.
K, thanks! I wondered why the bottle doesnt say Kina on it...
ML
Mrs Scoffs, and the same to you!
MLS, man I wish I could have hit that club when you had it!!
HTJ, From Russia With Love is also one of my favorites and I agree about being with friends in ones home.
Phyr, is your dad from Rockford, IL? Thanks for the comment!
ML
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