Shaken, Not Stirred: The Bond Martini at The Stafford London

On November 6, the 24^th James Bond film, Spectre, is being released in and in a toast to the film, the ‘Belvedere Spectre 007 Martini’ – is being served up in the American Bar, at The Stafford London. The martini fuses Belvedere Vodka and Dry Vermouth shaken, not stirred.

And why not? The hotel is also known for the nostalgia, the memorabilia and the little white mouse – the Second World War spy in residence, Nancy Wake. The Stafford is the perfect setting. Set back from St. James Street in the mews in the historic St. James neighbourhood, this hotel is within walking distance of St. James Palace (that’s where royals Charles and Harry have their offices), round the corner from famed food purveyor Fortnum and Masons, just down the road from Piccadilly, Mayfair and The Mall, which takes you to Buckhingham Palace, and the perfectly bucolic St. James Park.

This is an exclusive cocktail to the American Bar and available until early 2016, but we’ve managed to extract the recipe from the hotel’s award-winning mixologist. Remember, shaken, not stirred.

www.thestaffordlondon.com

Belvedere Spectre 007 Martini

A twist on the classic dirty martini

• 2 oz (60 mL) Belvedere Vodka
• ¼ oz (10 mL) Dry Vermouth
• 1 Sicilian green olive (washed)
• a dash (about 5 mL) Sicilian green olive brine

Gently muddle olives in base of mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients and shake hard with ice. Double strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with single Sicilian green olive.

*For more hotel hot spots in London, click HERE.