“Vodka Martini. Shaken, not stirred.”  

Those five words from pop culture icon James Bond galvanized the martini’s popularity for several years. Bond films have evoked the famous line ever since bringing the martini’s popularity into the modern age along with other media favorites like the “Sex in the City” television series.

Bond even named this famous concoction vesper, after the beautiful double agent from “Casino Royale”, which will finally be adapted to film in theaters on November 17, 2006 with Daniel Craig starring as the new Bond.

The James Bond martini recipe first appears in Chapter 7 of Ian Fleming’s first James Bond book, Casino Royale, as follows”

"A dry martini," he 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 then 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."

He watched carefully as the deep glass became frosted with the pale golden drink, slightly aerated by the bruising shaker. He reached for it and took a long sip.

"Excellent," he said to the barman, "but if you can get a vodka made with grain instead of potatoes, you will find it still better."

Shaking the drink chills it more quickly, which can make vodka drinks taste better. Others connoisseurs feel the technique mixes the vodka and gin into a nice texture that’s fun to taste.

Bond could owe his longevity to the beneficial antioxidant properties of this famous martini. The increase of antioxidants, due to the shaking technique, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes and other medical conditions.

Shaking does dilute the drink more than stirring does and can "bruise" the gin or “cloud” the martini with pieces of ice. Just be sure to tell your bartender/preparer how many shakes you prefer.

James Bond created a popular martini resurgence and important ingredient change in the 1960s as Vodka began to replace gin as the main ingredient.

The long standing James Bond series is one of the most engrained examples of high class coupled with machismo style with a hint of danger, intrigue and mystery always appeals to the senses.

Bond has always demanded the best food, drink, cars, accommodations and, of course, women. He lives life to the fullest. The Swank Martini Company invites you to do the same. Cheers!