As I have previously mentioned, a gin Martini is my drink of choice, "up," with an olive. I prefer Gordon's, not because it is Bond's gin of choice (and anyway, the Gordon's of the original novel's time was a higher proof), but because I like the taste. I do enjoy other cocktails at times.

Another favorite is a gin Gimlet, a very nice cocktail, made with 2 oz. of gin and 3/4 oz. of Rose's Lime Juice. There are sweeter versions, but this is the ratio I prefer. (In Raymond Chandlers The Long Goodbye,Terry Lenox tells Philip Marlowe A real Gimlet is half gin and half Roses Lime Juice...") Again, very cold, up with a lime quarter.

And when I am in a very quiet, contemplative mood, it's a Vesper. In the novel Casino Royale, Bond ordered thusly:

"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.

Alas, you can't get Kina Lillet anymore and that's arguably a lot of booze.

I go with the recipe in my signed hardcover copy of Cocktail: The Drinks Bible for the 21st Century.

• 2 oz. Gordon's gin
• 1 oz vodka (I don't care what kind)
• 1/2 oz. Lillet blanc
• a dash of bitters (to simulate the Kina Lillet and to give a light pink glow)