Daniel Craig’s James Bond Swan Song Deserves a Great Martini — Here Are the Best Places to Find One

Who’s ready for some Bond… James Bond? American audiences get their first taste of No Time to Die this Thursday, October 7th when Daniel Craig stars as British MI6 agent 007 for one last time. (Though the official release date is October 8th, all theaters have multiple showings of the movie on this Thursday and a number of them are showing it once on Wednesday night as well.)

We last saw our favorite secret agent in Spectre in 2015. Oh, how we’ve missed you, James. Since then, it seems Bond has left active service and is trying to enjoy civilian life in Jamaica. But with a Bond-villain like Rami Malek’s Safin on the loose, her majesty requires his services yet again.

Along with a well-tailored tuxedo, a few new gadgets proffered by Q, and his silver Aston Martin DB5, James Bond is never far from a beautiful woman (in this case, Léa Seydoux who returns as Dr. Madeleine Swann). One other constant throughout the entire franchise ― and this is the 25th Bond movie — is a martini, shaken not stirred.

With Bond back, we take a closer look at his signature drink. With the help of a true expert.

Charles Joly is the mixologist to the stars. The James Beard Award-winning cocktail crafter is a regular at both The Oscars and The Emmy Awards. With more than 20 years in the hospitality industry,  Joly is a leader in the international craft cocktail and spirits movement. He is also founder of Crafthouse Cocktails and Crafthouse by Fortessa Barware.

Charles Joly is sharing the special martini recipe he created for The Emmy Awards with PaperCity. Now you can try it at home. Of course, it’s perfect for the release of No Time To Die. Playing on the promise of cooler fall weather ahead, Joly calls his drink The Foraged Martini.

Ingredients

2 ounces Ketel One vodka
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
1/2 ounce thyme and tarragon infused blanc vermouth
5 drops peach bitters
3 drops green chartreuse
1 drop truffle oil, for garnish

Directions

For the herb-infused blanc vermouth, pour 750 milliliters of blanc vermouth over eight sprigs of fresh thyme and an equal-sized bunch of tarragon. Muddle gently and allow it to macerate for 30 minutes. Be careful not to over infuse, as these herbs can become overpowering.

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir. Once combined, pour into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Top the cocktail with one drop of truffle oil.

Fort Worth’s Best Martinis

Of course there are excellent martinis to be sipped around Fort Worth as well. Here are a few of my favorites to get you in the proper mindset for James Bond’s long delayed return.

Thompson’s Bookstore

While the age old debate continues, with this martini there is no need to choose between gin or vodka ― it’s got both. Good Evening Ms. Lynd is named for Vesper Lynd from Casino Royale. Prepared with Dank Vodka, celery and cucumber infused gin, and sage infused Cocchi Americano, it’s one of Thompson’s Bookstores’ special martinis. Dedicated to one of Bond’s most special ladies.

Grace Restaurant

Here’s a decidedly modern take on the classic martini. Grace’s Bosc Pear Martini is made with Grey Goose Le Poire Vodka, amaretto, lemon and prosecco, garnished with a paper-thin pear slice. It’s is flavorful fall favorite, that I think even 007 would approve. After all, it’s served in a stylish and modern atmosphere.

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

The Dapper Martini at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is all about the drink’s classic preparation. Its spare ingredients list adds to the appeal. It has nothing to hide, with three ounces gin or vodka and one half ounce dry vermouth. It’s served shaken and icy cold. Just the way James Bond prefers. Pictured here garnished with a three classic skewered blue cheese stuffed olives, it is both a cocktail and an appetizer.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

The Cosmopolitan never goes out of style, and its crisp cranberry backbone makes for another truly fall flavor note. Ruth’s Chris’s Cosmo is fresh and fruity, mixed with Effen raspberry vodka, a splash of Cointreau, cranberry juice and fresh lime juice. They garnish it with herbaceous rosemary springs and plump fresh raspberries.

During his tenure, Daniel Craig has modernized the Bond franchise in his own brooding way. He was not only the strong, silent type. He humanized Bond, transforming  him from a mere caricature into more of a real flesh-and-blood man — removing the traditional formula of smirking one-liners, and trivialized misogyny. We saw his Bond bleed and watched him deal with true pain and loss.

Daniel Craig first took on the role of James Bond in the remake of Casino Royale back in 2006, and here we are bidding him farewell 15 years later. So why not raise a proper martini in his honor?