PS: That “Americano” would be the drink, if you’re wondering, not the coffee, which is a more recent way of moniker-ing that style of java. The men were drinking inexhaustible quarter-bottles of Champagne, the women dry Martinis. Bond ordered an Americano and examined the sprinkling of over-dressed customers, mostly from Paris he guessed, who sat talking with focus and vivacity, creating that theatrically clubbable atmosphere of ‘ l’heure de l’apéritif’. One of the memorable one-liners was when James Bond said, 'Well, I understand 00s have a very short life expectancy. The waiters wore striped waistcoats and green baize aprons. The curtains and carpets were in royal blue. Everything was brass-studded leather and polished mahogany. The room was sumptuous with those over-masculine trappings which, together with briar pipes and wire-haired terriers, spell luxury in France. It’s better than the movie! And, while the Vesper quote is duly famous, it has other memorable drinking scenes and drinks, too. Everything gets over-done and distilled somewhat over time, but if you like a good quick read and aren’t opposed to spies and such, and haven’t read it, give it a whirl. Both as a thriller, but also as a character study. It was the perfect time, and you know what – the book holds up.

I actually hadn’t read the book, until a few weeks back, when I was traveling in the UK. Well, if you don’t know Casino Royale from the movies or books, where have you been hiding? It’s the first James Bond-ing, for super-spy sake! Here’s a secret between us, though.

Casino royale drink quote