[mmf!]

could someone enlighten me, please, on the bright red drink that i often see people drinking in cafes here, usually in a tall glass? i *think* i heard someone calling it a "demi-fraise," which would suggest beer and strawberry syrup, but i am not quite sure and very puzzled in general... it is so RED!

also is it considered shirley-temple-like to order it, or is this drink completely normal and something i should start getting used to?

thanks!

[cris]

demi fraise is not very common ,you are likely to get monaco and tango wich are a mix of beer and grenadine or beer ,"limonade"and grenadine, the more usual used of strawberry syrup is diabolo fraise or vichy fraise.the diabolo is the mix of syrup with french"limonade" a carbonnated drink close to fresca .

[Bekbeka]

I've 'told' that it is indeed beer with strawberry flavour - apparently a 'demi' is a beer (50 cl to be exact), so a demi-fraise is a beer with strawberry syrup added, I guess. Is it good?

[madameshawshank]

mmf! thought I go a googlin' to see what came up ~ here is someone's take on the drink in question:

"I first encountered this wonderful invention when staying with a friend in France about 10 years ago. I don't know if it's regional or simply a French thing, but it is a very simple idea.

Take your beer - preferably a continental one - Kronenbourg is ideal, pour into your typical French beer glass and add some "sirop". Sirop is like our cordial really (Robinsons etc...) although the French version does seem to be somewhat sweeter, richer and more refined. In which case you may have to sample this on your next trip to France - I don't think Beer and Lemon Barley water would be quite as good somehow....I gained a particular appreciation for the Strawberry version, but also found Kronenbourg plus Peach to be very pleasing.

I guess this is something akin to the idea of "Lager and Lime". Is it for those who find the taste of beer way too bitter? Possibly. Mixing your premium lager with lime cordial is certainly frowned upon in some public houses, but I always think the idea of drinking a "Demi-Fraise" in France, outside a bar in a little village somewhere to be quite a nice idea. And it does taste good. The perfect refreshing drink for a warm day in the sun with the added bonus of making you "alcohol-happy"!"
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"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson