The Mezper Story
Background:
Let's start with the critical background of the Vesper Martini.
James Bond's (Ian Fleming's) original recipe of the Veper in Casino Royale was:
"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?"
That was clearly a dud, as Ian Fleming later said:
"I proceeded to invent a cocktail for Bond (which I sampled several months later and found unpalatable" – Ian FlemingThere were two weaknesses: Kina Lillet contained quinine, giving an unpleaseant taste, and the cocktail was shaken rather than stirred. President Bartlet suggested the solution to the latter problem in The West Wing (Season 3, Episode 17):
"Shaken, not stirred, will get you cold water with a dash of gin and dry vermouth. The reason you stir it with a special spoon is so not to chip the ice. James is ordering a weak martini and being snooty about it."
We agree with Bartlet. Stirred, not shaken — because dilution and texture matter.
Creation:
The Mezper was inspired by two bartenders at Osaka Restaurant in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires. Prompted to create their take on a Vesper Martini, they presented two intriguing options:
- 3 parts Monkey 47, 1 part pisco, 0.5 part Lillet Blanc
- 3 parts Gordon's, 1 part mezcal, 0.5 part Lillet Blanc
Both creations were excellent, but the combination of the two was even better:
- 3 parts Monkey 47, 1 part mezcal, 0.5 part Lillet Blanc
Thus, the Mezper was born — the elegant, smoky twist on Bond's original, keeping the mystique but adding complexity.
What makes the Mezper sing is its balance. Monkey 47 is no ordinary gin — it’s a Black Forest expedition in a bottle. Its 47 botanicals unleash a layered blend of pine, spruce tips, wild herbs, and crushed berries, creating a bold, aromatic profile that feels both ancient and alive. The smokiness of the mezcal doesn’t overpower — it deepens the forest, like morning fog curling through evergreens. Lillet Blanc smooths the edges with soft citrus and gentle sweetness, bringing the elements together into one refined, unforgettable cocktail.
