TSA Pats Down 007, or Aviation vs. Vesper

Catchy title, no?  I liked it - took me a while to think of, but we weren't busy at work, and I was all caught up on Facebook, so there ya go.

The Aviation was created in 1916 and the original recipe has crème de violette in it.  The IBA version doesn't include this perhaps because crème de violette wasn't available in the USA during prohibition.  Wait.  That doesn't make sense - the IBA is an international association, so crème de violette would have been available in other areas of the world during prohibition, plus the IBA wasn't even around during prohibition.  Why isn't this included in the IBA version?!?  I mean...it gives the drink such a nice blue color!  That's probably how it got its name!  This is an outrage!  I demand an audience with the IBA immediately!  [insert sounds of chirping crickets]

Okay, the best I can figure is that crème de violette, to some people, tastes and smells like soap and is too flowery in this drink.  That alone could be why it's not in the IBA recipe, but I'm not sure - if any one knows for sure, leave a comment.  I will say that I really wanted to try a version with the crème de violette in it, but didn't want to buy a full bottle for a dash or two, so I'll have to order one at a club sometime.

Aviation

1.5 oz. Gin

0.5 oz. Maraschino

0.5 oz. Fresh lemon juice

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

Aviation Ingredients

The Vesper was invented by James Bond in the Ian Fleming novel Casino Royale:

"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

Hmmm...I wonder if Mr. Fleming taste tested this before he wrote about it?  For the gin and the Lillet I didn't use the same brands as Casino Royale wanted - Kina Lillet isn't manufactured any more, and personally, I don't like Gordon's gin, so Citadelle it was.  Here's the IBA's recipe:

Vesper

2 oz. Gin

0.5 oz. Vodka

0.25 oz. Lillet Blanc

Lemon twist (garnish)

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Add the garnish.

The three bottles of Vesper

The Tasting
There wasn't anything special about either of these, I didn't think...honestly, neither were my "cup of tea" so to speak.  They weren't horrible, but weren't fantastic either - you know that feeling you have when you first have a drink and know immediately that you want another?  I'm not talking about when Uncle Simon comes over unannounced to say that he'll be crashing on your couch for the next "little while" because Aunt Gladys is trying to find her self by reuniting her Janis Joplin tribute band, I'm talking about the first time you try a drink, and know that it's so good that you'll have another.  Neither of these drinks had that for me.

The two side by side

I still had to choose a winner for this entry.  I'm thinkin' that James Bond is pretty cool, so Vesper is it!  Sorry - that's the only way I could pick between the two...you try them and let me know which one you like better...

The winner!

The Ingredients
For the Aviation:
Gin - Citadelle
Maracshino - Luxardo
Fresh Lemon Juice

For the Vesper:
Gin - Citadelle
Vodka - Prairie Organic
Lillet Blanc

Up Next - Side Trip #1 - All Hands Man Battle Stations, or Torpedo IPA