Care for a drink, Mr Bond?

Another year, another Bond. It's been a turbulent ride through the years, always wondering who will play the next reincarnation, and more importantly, how wooden their upper lip will be.

And when the Bond shows rolls into town, it's de rigeur for any person of style and class to be able to knock up a swift martini quicker than a double agent can switch sides.

Ketel One Vodka have teamed up with Itchy to bring you the Ultimate Martini recipe and some top tips, just in case a certain Mr Bond should pop round...

If you're silently doubting Itchy's cocktail credentials, then you are to be commended - we can even balls up a gin and tonic.

That's why we sought the expert advice of Justin Smyth, European Ambassador for Ketel One Vodka at The Connaught Five Star Hotel in Mayfair.

If anyone can shake up a Martini fit for a secret agent, it's this man.

Of course, being a humble novice, you'll want to grab yourself a bottle of Ketel One Vodka, the velvety smooth and ultra premium, decent Vermouth...

Ingredients and cocktail paraphernalia
Martini glass (chilled)
Mixing glass (pint)
Tea strainer and Hawthorne strainer OR a three piece shaker
Green Queen Olive (stored in brine)
75ml Ketel One Vodka (chilled)
5ml top quality vermouth
(3 units of alcohol per serving)

Step 1
Place some martini glasses into the freezer for a few hours or simply fill with ice to chill.

Step 2
Fill the mixing glass with ice then add 5ml (1 teaspoon) of Dry vermouth - for a slightly "wetter" martini just splosh in a bit more vermouth.

Step 3
Stir 3 or 4 times in either direction, so that the ice is nicely coated by the vermouth.
Place the strainer over the top of the glass and drain away the excess liquid. (Into your thirsty lips, if desired.)

Step 4
Pour the Ketel One Vodka over the vermouth coated ice
and stir at least 20 to 30 times to chill down the liquid.
Now strain into the chilled martini glass. Filter out any bits of ice with both the tea strainer and the Hawthorne strainer. If you are using a three piece shaker strain directly over the tea strainer.

Step 5
Garnish with a twist of lemon zest or an olive.

Step 6
Sit back, enjoy and discover the velvety smoothness of Ketel One Vodka.

Now, all that remains is to lure that pesky Bond into your lair with your astounding martini talents. World domination is only a poisoned chalice away... bond martini