The Narrator Vesper Variation from Ronan

The Narrator: A Black Pepper Vesper Variation

Name: The Narrator: A Black Pepper Vesper Variation
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American

Recipe: Joe Shaffer and Jeremy Wade , Ronan , Los Angeles

Photo: Caitlin Cutler

June 02, 2025

Black pepper adds a spicy edge to this take on a gin-vodka classic.

To give this Vesper twist a spicy edge, bartenders Joe Shaffer and Jeremy Wade of Ronan in Los Angeles infuse a juniper-forward gin with fresh black peppercorn. The result is an approachable yet complex sipper.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. black pepper-infused gin
3/4 oz. Cocchi Americano
3/4 oz. vodka
2 dashes orange bitters

Tools:mixing glass, barspoon
Glass:small coupe
Garnish:grapefruit twist

Preparation

Add all of the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for approximately 50 rotations. Stain into a coupe, then garnish.
Black Pepper-Infused GinAdd 1/3 cup of whole black peppercorns to a 750ml bottle of gin. Let the infusion sit at room temperature for 24-36 hours, agitating periodically. Strain.