Refreshing Monaco
In 1930, a young man from Nice, entered his privately run Bugatti car in the nearby Monaco Grand Prix. Rene Dreyfus and his brother Maurice had started to make a name for themselves, racing in France. Without much help or hope of winning in a straight fight against factory backed teams, Rene decided to add additional petrol tanks to his car and forgo the usual pit and refuel stops. The brave Frenchman drove to the finish line with a gruelling performance, beating Ettore Bugattis’ official drivers by 22 seconds, and won the race. His ruse, success, talent and charm led to an incredible career in motorsport, becoming Champion de France in 1938. But this was followed by a 2nd career in New York as a Restauranteur, running the “Le Chanteclair” with his brother. The venue became a real meeting place for food and motor enthusiast and many US based racers such as Phil Hill who won the F1 Championship with Ferrari in 1961.
No doubt, driving in the hot sun of the Cote D’Azur can be a thirsty activity, being on a race track or just visiting. Once at your destination, why not enjoy a refreshing drink to honour the Principality and it’s historic race , and order “Un Monaco, sil vous plait!”
To a Beer or Tulip shaped tall glass add:
5cl Big Dash of Grenadine Syrop
10cl Half Limonade
10cl Half Pils
Reflecting the colours of the Monaco National flag, it’s a lovely refreshing drink averaging just 1.5% alcohol, best served ultra cold.
Yes, it’s a posh shandy, but it makes for a good story and can be enjoyed equally well in our British gardens.