Why did James Bond routinely order his martinis “shaken, not stirred”? Find out when you raise a toast to the creator of the iconic British spy, the debonair Ian Fleming. Cocktail experts Simon Ford and Philip Greene share tales of stylish adventure (both real-life and literary) as you sip some of the favorite drinks of both Fleming and his most famous character.
Learn about Fleming's fascinating World War II career in the British intelligence corps, his Jamaican hideaway Goldeneye, the evolution of the James Bond character, and how his own refined personal tastes in food, drink, and other gentlemanly pursuits found their reflection in the suave spy. Vintage photos enhance the experience as you sip your way into a world of elegant danger—where the cocktails are always perfectly mixed.
Ford is co-founder of the The 86 Co, a spirits label whose products include Fords Gin. Greene is the co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans and author of The Manhattan: The Story of the First Modern Cocktail and To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion.
Other Connections
Despite his (and James Bond’s) profile as a connoisseur of fine foods, Ian Fleming’s favorite dish was scrambled eggs—something the spy often eats in the novels. Of course, Fleming preferred a drink other than orange juice as the proper accompaniment.
Scrambled Eggs “James Bond”
For four individualists:
12 fresh eggs, salt and pepper, 5–6 oz. of fresh butter
Break the eggs into a bowl. Beat thoroughly with a fork and season well. In a small copper (or heavy-bottomed saucepan) melt 4 oz. of the butter. When melted, pour in the eggs and cook over a very low heat, stirring continuously with a small egg whisk. While the eggs are slightly more moist than you would wish for eating, remove pan from heat, add rest of butter and continue whisking for half a minute, adding the while finely chopped chives or fine herbs. Serve on hot buttered toast in individual copper dishes (for appearance only) with pink champagne (Taittinger) and low music. —Ian Fleming, 007 in New York
