Uploaded March 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Learn how to make a "Vodka Martini" aka Kangaroo Kicker aka Kangaroo Cocktail worthy of being called a James Bond cocktail. This is the famous "shaken, not stirred," cocktail. The series, Cocktails and Pussy Galore, shows you how to drink like 007 using the Ian Fleming books (not the movies) as the source, which takes you beyond the typical James Bond Martini.
The Kangaroo Kicker was a very short lived name for the cocktail. It only lasted for about 15 years before it started to be called the "Vodka Martini". This was largely due to Ian Fleming, James Bond and particularly the movies. They totally hijacked this drink and made it their way. The world obediently followed. This drink became known as the Vodka Martini then later, simply, the Martini. For years, most people thought Dry Martinis (youtu.be/hIMrC9ezHYA) were made with Vodka, not Gin and because of Bond, thought that they were shaken, not stirred.
By all rights, this drink should be stirred, but because this was Bond's signature cocktail (in the movies, anyway) and it became his catchphrase, it's shaken here. Feel free to stir it, that way you won't need the fine mesh strainer.
Bond first ordered a shaken, not stirred Kangaroo in Diamonds Are Forever, but it was ordered "off-screen", if you will. The first time he ordered one out loud was Dr. No. Dr. No was the sixth book, but it was the first Connery movie, so "shaken, not stirred" became his signature from the gate on the big screen.
Movie Bond also made Vodka the most popular spirit in the US, if not the world. Vodka was relatively unknown until James Bond started ordering his martinis to be made with Vodka. Moscow Mules (youtu.be/_O-a93CFyf4) helped, but movie Bond was the real catalyst. Bond liked his drinks strong, so I usually opt for a 100 proof Vodka.
In the books, Bond specified Martini & Rossi for his Dry Vermouth, as well as a now-defunct, California brand of Vermouth called Cresta Blanca.
I enjoy this one at a 3:1 ratio. It was originally made at 2:1, but Bond once specified that it be made at 6:1. However, he was trying to impress a woman who had sworn off men. So, this may have been part of his strategy to win her over. If you like it at 6:1, don't let me stop you. Bond would approve. Cheers!
Recipe:
1.5 oz Vodka
0.5 oz Dry Vermouth
Lemon Twist
Shake with ice (or stir with ice). Double strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with Lemon Twist.
Bond Brands:
Wolfschmidt Vodka
Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth
Follow Us!
facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
pinterest.com/DistinguishedSp
Featured in This Episode:
Stoli 100
stoli.com/product/#stolichnaya-100-proof
youtube.com/user/stolivideos
Dolin Vermouth
http://www.dolin.fr/gb/index.html
Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth (not exactly featured, but Bond's choice)
www3.martini.com/us/products#product/martini-extradry
Learn how to make a "Vodka Martini" aka Kangaroo Kicker aka Kangaroo Cocktail worthy of being called a James Bond cocktail. This is the famous "shaken, not stirred," cocktail. The series, Cocktails and Pussy Galore, shows you how to drink like 007 using the Ian Fleming books (not the movies) as the source, which takes you beyond the typical James Bond Martini.
The Kangaroo Kicker was a very short lived name for the cocktail. It only lasted for about 15 years before it started to be called the "Vodka Martini". This was largely due to Ian Fleming, James Bond and particularly the movies. They totally hijacked this drink and made it their way. The world obediently followed. This drink became known as the Vodka Martini then later, simply, the Martini. For years, most people thought Dry Martinis (youtu.be/hIMrC9ezHYA) were made with Vodka, not Gin and because of Bond, thought that they were shaken, not stirred.
By all rights, this drink should be stirred, but because this was Bond's signature cocktail (in the movies, anyway) and it became his catchphrase, it's shaken here. Feel free to stir it, that way you won't need the fine mesh strainer.
Bond first ordered a shaken, not stirred Kangaroo in Diamonds Are Forever, but it was ordered "off-screen", if you will. The first time he ordered one out loud was Dr. No. Dr. No was the sixth book, but it was the first Connery movie, so "shaken, not stirred" became his signature from the gate on the big screen.
Movie Bond also made Vodka the most popular spirit in the US, if not the world. Vodka was relatively unknown until James Bond started ordering his martinis to be made with Vodka. Moscow Mules (youtu.be/_O-a93CFyf4) helped, but movie Bond was the real catalyst. Bond liked his drinks strong, so I usually opt for a 100 proof Vodka.
In the books, Bond specified Martini & Rossi for his Dry Vermouth, as well as a now-defunct, California brand of Vermouth called Cresta Blanca.
I enjoy this one at a 3:1 ratio. It was originally made at 2:1, but Bond once specified that it be made at 6:1. However, he was trying to impress a woman who had sworn off men. So, this may have been part of his strategy to win her over. If you like it at 6:1, don't let me stop you. Bond would approve. Cheers!
Recipe:
1.5 oz Vodka
0.5 oz Dry Vermouth
Lemon Twist
Shake with ice (or stir with ice). Double strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with Lemon Twist.
Bond Brands:
Wolfschmidt Vodka
Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth
Follow Us!
facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
pinterest.com/DistinguishedSp
Featured in This Episode:
Stoli 100
stoli.com/product/#stolichnaya-100-proof
youtube.com/user/stolivideos
Dolin Vermouth
http://www.dolin.fr/gb/index.html
Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth (not exactly featured, but Bond's choice)
www3.martini.com/us/products#product/martini-extradry
