You Only Live Twice (1967)

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007: “Ugh. Siamese vodka?”

Overview: With China’s backing, SPECTRE hijacks U.S. and Soviet space capsules to initiate a nuclear war between the two nations. James Bond goes to Japan to stop the diabolical plot, and finally comes face to face with Ernst Stavro Blofeld. This is the Minister’s favorite 007 film.

What does Bond drink?

• After his introduction to 007, Dikko Henderson mixes two martinis, using what appears to be Stolichnaya vodka, and Martini and Rossi dry vermouth. He hands Bond the martini, asking “That’s stirred, not shaken...that was right, wasn’t it?” Although Henderson has it mixed up (so to speak), Bond politely (but wryly) replies “Perfect. Cheers.” (While extremely subtle, this is one of our favorite jokes in the entire film series.) After taking a sip, 007 compliments Henderson’s choice of alcohol: “Russian vodka. Well done.” Henderson explains “I get it from the doorman at the Russian embassy. Among certain other things.”
• After the fight with the driver in Osato’s office, Bond drags the body into a bar hidden behind a door. He grabs a bottle of vodka, pours himself a shot, and downs it. Realizing the drink tastes horrible, Bond looks at the bottle and remarks “Ugh. Siamese vodka?”
• While on Tiger Tanaka’s private subway train (which has a small bar), a woman brings Bond and Tanaka cups of sake. After 007 thanks her in Japanese, Tanaka asks “Do you like Japanese sake, Mr. Bond? Or would you prefer a vodka martini?” Bond replies “Oh no, I like sake.” He takes a sip and then adds, “Especially when it’s served at the correct temperature, 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit, like this is.” Tanaka, who seems extremely pleased, remarks “For a European, you are exceptionally cultivated!”

This of course begs the question, what is the correct temperature at which to serve sake? No less an authority than the Sake Association of America recommends that the beverage be warmed only from 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Serving sake any hotter will damage or destroy it. Nowadays, sake can also be enjoyed chilled.

• Back in Osato’s office, Helga Brandt asks Bond (who is posing as Mr. Fisher) “May we offer you a glass of champagne, Mr. Fisher?” Bond replies “No thank you, it’s too early in the morning for me.” Osato chimes in “I always take a glass in the morning, you should try it.” Bond innocently asks “It’s bad for your liver, isn’t it?” Osato says “Nonsense! It adds a sparkle to the day.” Bond (who has been nervously watching Brandt open the door to the bar where he had stashed the driver’s body the night before) answers “Sure it does.” Brandt pops the cork and offers “A Dom Perignon ’59, Mr. Fisher. Are you really sure you won’t change your mind?” Bond, without too much hesitation, says “Well, if you insist.” Brandt brings him a glass and he takes a sip.
• Back at Tanaka’s home, Bond sips Suntory whisky from a medium-sized glass. There is a bottle of Suntory Old Whisky on the table, along with a pitcher of water. While Aki appeas to be drinking water, there is another glass of whisky on the table, which is almost certainly Tanaka's.
• During their "wedding," Bond and Kissy Suzuki both drink sake from flat cups, a traditional custom of Shinto marriage ceremonies. In the actual San-San-Kudo (three-times-three) ritual, the bride and groom each take three sips of sake from three different cups (for a total of nine sips apiece). While Bond and Kissy may in fact be doing this, we only see them drink one cup each.
• At Kissy’s home on Ama Island, when she and Bond sit down to eat the meal of oysters, there is an undetermined bottle on the table (possibly sake), along with two empty glasses.

Other people’s drinks: During Bond’s “funeral,” the observer from SPECTRE has a glass of white wine on the table beside him.

Product placement: A bottle of Suntory whisky.

By the book: Based (very loosely) on You Only Live Twice (1964).

• Tiger Tanaka and Bond drink sake together on several occasions.
• Dikko Henderson and Bond drink together in Tokyo.
• Tanaka drinks Suntory whisky at his home.

Total: Six drinks. One vodka martini, a shot of Siamese vodka, two cups of sake, a glass of Dom Perignon ’59, and a Japanese whisky.