James Bond to return to Martini drinking in next film, Spectre

Spectre, the 24th James Bond film, the name of which was revealed last week ahead of its premier in November 2015, has joined forces with luxury vodka Belvedere.

The LVMH-owned vodka is planning limited edition bottles and a global advertising campaign to make the most of the deal.

There is no word as yet to say if the vodka will appear in the film, a decision which a spokeswoman said would be, “down to director, Sam Mendes.”

Just 100 of the collectors’ bottles will be produced to celebrate Bond’s famous “shaken not stirred” martini, on which the image of the Belvedere Palace will be replaced with one of the MI6 building.

The producer also promises a “007 twist” will be applied to Belvedere Silver Sabre bottles – its illuminated bottle, which was launched last year.

Details of the marketing campaign are being kept under wraps for now but it is set for launch in February.

“James Bond is recognised as the most admired and influential tastemaker in the world,” said Charles Gibb, Belvedere Vodka president.

“We’re delighted that Belvedere will be partnering with Spectre, our largest global partnership to date.”

There was some controversy over the fictional spy’s tie-up with Heineken for the last film, Skyfall, in which Bond was seen drinking the beer.

“Welcome back to the cocktail drinking fold Mr Bond – we’ve been expecting you,” said Kay Plunkett-Hogge, author of Make Mine a Martini.