"James Bond had his first drink of the evening at Fouquet's. It was not a solid drink. One cannot drink seriously in French cafés. Out of doors on a pavement in the sun is no place for vodka or whisky or gin. A fine a l'eau is fairly serious, but it intoxicates without tasting very good. A quart de champagne or a champagne à l'orange is all right before luncheon, but in the evening one quart leads to another quart and a bottle of indifferent champagne is a bad foundation for the night. Pernod is possible, but it should be drunk in company, and anyway Bond had never liked the stuff because its liquorice taste reminded him of his childhood. No, in cafés you have to drink the least offensive of the musical comedy drinks that go with them, and Bond always had the same thing--an Americano--Bitter Campari, Cinzano, a large slice of lemon peel and soda. For the soda he always specified Perrier, for in his opinion expensive soda water was the cheapest way to improve a poor drink."
-A View to a Kill, by Ian Fleming
2 comments:
I've always liked how Ian Fleming made something like drinking at a cafe so interesting, so philosophical.
As I age, I find these passages in his books worthy of deeper study and profound reflection. Too often Gin and Vodka Tonics in the afternoon sun have ruined my ill-prepared romantic dinners...and quite a few ties!
I'm fighting against a dampened enthusiasm for Campari.. I should stop letting Ian Fleming sway my opinion so much.
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