It’s the drink that 007 James Bond made famous with his “shaken, not stirred” catchphrase.

And British drinkers are now returning to the classic Martini, moving away from sugary and fruit-heavy cocktails.

The classic cocktail – made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth, served with an olive or lemon twist – has seen renewed popularity in London, where bars are reporting growing demand.

The Connaught Hotel, known for its Martini trolley, serves approximately 16,000 Martinis annually. The newly opened Dover has introduced a menu devoted entirely to the drink, while Selfridges’ rooftop restaurant, Alto by San Carlo, offers seven variations

Retail figures reflect the shift. Sales of pre-mixed canned Martinis have risen by 200 per cent at Selfridges over the past year, with the Whitebox Dirty Martini the bestselling variety.