Monaco Drink Recipe

The Monaco cocktail is a bold libation that adds summer to your gatherings. The name of the game on this one is balance: Beer, grenadine, and lemonade come together in cooling harmony. Monaco is a drink of international appeal, originating in France and conjuring long afternoons and balmy evenings.

How to Make a Monaco Drink

To create a Monaco drink, simply combine equal parts of pilsner or lager beer and lemonade in an iced glass before lightly pouring grenadine on top to sink down the center for a striking color gradient effect. Serve in a cocktail glass with a lemon slice or cherry garnish during hot days.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Light beer: Look for something mild like a lager or pilsner; the last thing we want is to have other ingredients overshadowed by strong, hoppy flavor.
• 1/4 cup lemonade: Fresh-squeezed is zesty, fresh, and delicious, but you can sub with store-bought lemonade.
• 1 oz grenadine: pomegranate syrup lends both sweetness and color to this pink drink.
• Ice cubes
• Fresh lemon slices and cherries: Lemon slices and pink cherries to serve.

Instructions

1. Chill your glassware: Begin with a dry pint glass (or highball glass) and chill in the refrigerator or fill it up with ice-cold water for several minutes.
2. Mix the grenadine and lemonade: Shake or stir together (whatever you're using for mixing). Mix well so they are combined properly.
3. Make the beer base: Fill a chilled glass with light beer, filling about three-fourths full. Be mindful not to pour too quickly so the beer retains all its intended carbonation.
4. Add the grenadine and lemonade mix: Pour the grenadine and lemonade mixture into a beer mug, slowly. And because grenadine is heavier than the other ingredients, it will fall to the bottom of your glass creating a nice sunset gradient.
5. Gently stir: You will need a long spoon or stirrer to gently mix the layers and keep your drink fizzy.
6. Garnish and serve: Place a slice of lemon or maraschino cherries on the rim of glass for decoration. Serve with a straw, if desired, or without.

Serving Suggestions

• Paired with light appetizers: This goes well when consumed along a side of bruschetta shrimp cocktail or paired up beautifully alongside any cheese platter.
• Ideal for summer gatherings: A drink like this is perfect for barbecues, picnics and swimming pool parties where you offer a thirst-quenching alternative.
• Variations: Try various types of beer, like wheat or pale ale, for minor flavor tweaks in the drink. You can also splash a little lime juice in there for some extra citrus.
• Presentation tips: Add some festive color to your beverage with a colorful straw or garnish cocktail sticks.

Tips and variations

• Sweeten it up: Find the perfect balance of sweetness to suit your taste by using less grenadine or adding a subtly sweet lemonade (or opt for one without added sugar).
• Experiment with flavors: Fruity lemonades will give an interesting dash to your Red Zeppelin Cocktail however some slightly fruity notes in a beer you may choose as base would also bring out those fruit flavors of this cocktail like nothing else.
• Great for entertaining: The monaco cocktail is easily batchable. Then scale up the recipe by however much you want in one go, mix this all into a big pitcher.

Preparation Time

• Total time needed: 5 minutes
• Serving size: 1 serving

Nutrition Information

• Calories: 150 calories per serving
• Carbohydrates: 13 grams
• Sugars: 10 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 5 milligrams

Ingredient Substitutes

• Alcohol-free version: If you prefer a nonalcoholic version or mocktail, simply swap beer for (nonalcoholic) beer/sparkling water to maintain the fizz without all that alcohol.
• Sweetener options: Sub grenadine with honey, agave syrup, or low-calorie sweetener for sugar-conscious individuals.
• Citrus alternatives: If lemonade is not available , try mixing your favorite orange juice  and any kind of limeade.
• Lighter picks: Reduce calorie count without really altering the flavor by swapping out regular beer with light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Monaco cocktail be prepared in advance?

Make in advance: You can also make a pitcher of these, but hold off on adding the carbonated beer or sparkling water until just before serving so it stays fizzy.

Which beer is the best to use in a Monaco cocktail?

The default beer is a light lager or pilsner, that will accompany the lemonade and grenadine without coming on too heady.

Can one make the Monaco cocktail less sweet?

Switching to sugar-free lemonade and reducing the grenadine (or replacing it with a low-calorie sweetener) will counterbalance this.

What can I use instead of grenadine in a Monaco cocktail?

If grenadine is not at hand, pomegranate juice or cranberry juice may be used as substitutes though this can change the cocktail's signature flavor profile a bit.

How to store leftover monaco cocktails?

Any unused Monaco cocktail should be stored in the refrigerator (preferably in an air-tight container) and consumed within a day to maintain optimal flavor and carbonation.

Conclusion

This Monaco cocktail is an easygoing, chill beverage and can be easily adjusted to fit your tastes or diet. It's simple to make, enjoyable to eat and great for a social function or just relaxing with friends. Drink responsibly and feel free to make it your own.