Spectre of beer barred as Bond reorders Martini
AFTER Wetherspoon’s called final orders on serving Heineken in any of its pubs last week, it looks like the Dutch brewers will not be featuring in next year’s Bond film either.
Vodka has been revealed as Bond’s drink-of-choice for Spectre, due for global release in November 2015, after Beldevere Vodka was announced as the franchise’s latest corporate partner.
Many are tipping 007 to order his famous shaken, not stirred, vodka Martini in the 24th Bond adventure, with Beldevere also set to create 100 special Bond-themed vodka bottles next year.
Responding to the announcement, Kay Plunkett-Hogge, author of Make Mine a Martini, said: “Welcome back to the cocktail drinking fold, Mr. Bond — we’ve been expecting you.”
Professor James Chapman, author of Licence to Thrill, a cultural history of Bond films, has looked closely at Bond’s drinking habits. He said: “Fleming’s Bond famously invented the Vesper Martini in Casino Royale, and the vodka Martini was there for special occasions, such as his dinner at M’s club Blades in ‘Moonraker’.” The Capitalist says cheers to that. Somehow, it seems more fitting than Bond saying: “Make mine a lager”.
■ ASKED about new porn laws prohibiting a number of risqué practices in pornography produced and sold in the UK, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg kept it vague as he trod carefully with his answer yesterday. The Liberal Democrat leader said it wasn’t for politicians to decide “how people get their kicks”, adding that “exotic” acts that take place in private and didn’t break the law were fine with him. It worked and Clegg avoided the worst kind of slip up. So, that was a spanking good answer, deputy prime minister.
■ DIDN’T quite get round to booking a trip to Germany for its famous Christmas markets? Fear not – the Tate Modern surrounds have been transformed into London’s very own piece of gluhwein heaven. More than 70 wooden chalets selling hand-crafted gifts, bratwurst and, of course, mulled wine, have been set up. The market, organisers say, appeals “to every taste”. So if you’re feeling festive, the market is open until Christmas Eve between 10am and 8pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.