By Tim Cotroneo
CJ Contributor
Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig had one thing in common when starring in the legendary James Bond movie series.
They all preferred their martinis shaken, not stirred.
The lobby bar at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, served one of the signature movie locales for the 2006 remake of Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s first film in the role of 007. (Another Nassau watering hole, now the home of The Bahamas’ John Watling’s Rum, was also the location of a major scene in the film.)
Long-time Ocean Club bartender Keith Cash watched from the wings while Daniel Craig’s martini scene was shot at the six-seat bar in which Cash has worked since 1987.
Cash has served hundreds of drinks since the 22nd Bond movie revealed to the world the stately elegance of his Ocean Club workplace. Ever since Craig’s command for a Vesper Martini, the cocktail is regularly one Cash mixes for hotel guests looking to live like 007, if only for a day.
The Buena Vista Estate, home to John Watling’s Distillery, the site of the Embassy scene at the beginning of Casino Royale.
Shaken, Not Stirred
The tagline “shaken, not stirred” is not only a storied movie line for Bond enthusiasts, the agitating methodology helps ease a potent drink formula for the novice martini drinker. When asked about The Ocean Club’s signature drink recipe, Cash notes that shaking lightens the first sip impact of the high-octane Vesper.
The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons resort.
“When you aggressively shake the mixture, you get the ice crystals on top. That’s the trick for slightly diluting a cocktail that is three parts liquor. Shaking the Vesper makes it taste smooth,” Cash said with a smile.
How to make an Ocean Club Vesper Martini Cocktail
Two parts Gordon’s Gin
One part Stoli Vodka,
One part Lillet Vermouth
Add ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and shake.
Strain into a champagne glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
— CJ