What 007 Really Drinks

We're not so convinced James Bond had a particular liking for vodka. His first so-called dry Martini was three parts gin to only one part vodka with a sweet measure of Lillet. We suspect the real reason Ian Fleming's superspy included vodka in this drink was a particular Russian love interest, not a matter of taste.

In later Bond books, 007 sipped bourbon, champagne, and even Americanos. We demur from the artless view that Mr. Bond was the human embodiment of the Martini. Although we like a good Martini as much as the next person, we give him more credit: Mr. Bond is a man who orders his drinks based on occasion, mood, and Her Majesty's assignment. Besides, his creator was a gin man. Fleming, according to Andrew Lycett, author of Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond, favored the Pink Gin cocktail, which isn't as sweet as it sounds.

Of course, we still haven't forgiven Fleming for selling out to Smirnoff. After that company bought product spots in the 1967 movie release of Casino Royale, things just haven't been the same for gin. In fact, that year marks the first time vodka surpassed gin's popularity in the States. By the time Dr. No and Goldfinger came out, Smirnoff had upped the ante enough so that, at least in the movies, Mr. Bond was only drinking vodka Martinis. We're surprised the directors of Casino Royale, Charles F. Feldman and John Houston, actually signed their name to that vaudeville version of the book - we would have opted for Allen Smithee ourselves.