Bond’s adversary in Moonraker, Sir Hugo Drax, is an industrialist, stockbroker and war hero – who just happens to hold the contract to build Britain’s first nuclear missile. His exploits during the war have left him with a badly scarred face and – supposedly – amnesia. Most suspiciously, it seems he cheats at cards. M asks Bond to investigate this curious hero. Like Drax, this cocktail is German at its heart; the mineral notes of a dry German Riesling reflect the flintiness at the centre of this cold, arrogant man. It is a subtle, nuanced cocktail (Drax’s veneer of heroism earns him a knighthood after all). Lillet Blanc adds body and aroma; crème de poire, sweetness and fruitiness; and the thyme and green peppercorn tinctures, a spicy edge. A touch of absinthe lifts the drink and provides a sense of lethality.
75ml (2½fl oz) dry German Riesling
30ml (1fl oz) Lillet Blanc
2 teaspoons crème de poire
2 dashes of green peppercorn tincture
4 dashes of thyme tincture
2 dashes of absinthe
FOR THE GREEN PEPPERCORN TINCTURE, MAKES 200ML (7FL OZ)
1½ tablespoons whole green peppercorns
100ml (3½fl oz) vodka
100ml (3½fl oz) water
FOR THE THYME TINCTURE, MAKES 200ML (7FL OZ)
1½ tablespoons thyme leaves
100ml (3½fl oz) vodka
100ml (3½fl oz) water
TO GARNISH
thyme sprig
To make the green peppercorn tincture, infuse the green peppercorns in the vodka for 3 days, then strain and add the water.
To make the thyme tincture, infuse the thyme leaves in the vodka for 3 days, then strain and add the water.
To make the cocktail, measure the ingredients into a frosted mixing glass and top up with ice. Stir until very cold, then strain into a chilled coupette. Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig.
THE DRAX
M lifted his eyes from his pipe and cleared his throat.
“Got anything particular on at the moment, James?” he asked in a neutral voice.
“James.” That was unusual. It was rare for M to use a Christian name in this room.
“Only paperwork and the usual courses,” said Bond. “Anything you want me for, sir?”
“As a matter of fact there is,” said M. He frowned at Bond. “But it’s really got nothing to do with the Service. Almost a personal matter. Thought you might give me a hand.”
“Of course, sir,” said Bond. He was relieved for M’s sake that the ice had been broken. Probably one of the old man’s relations had got into trouble and M didn’t want to ask a favour of Scotland Yard. Blackmail, perhaps. Or drugs. He was pleased that M should have chosen him. Of course he would take care of it. M was such a desperate stickler about Government property and personnel. Using Bond on a personal matter must have seemed to him like stealing the Government’s money.
“Thought you’d say so,” said M, gruffly. “Won’t take up much of your time. An evening ought to be enough.” He paused. “Well now, you’ve heard of this man Sir Hugo Drax?”
MOONRAKER
CHAPTER 2. THE COLUMBITE KING
“That’s about it,” he said slowly. “I don’t know much more than you do. A wonderful story. Extraordinary man.” He paused, reflecting. “There’s only one thing . . .” M tapped the stem of his pipe against his teeth.
“What’s that, sir?” asked Bond.
M seemed to make up his mind. He looked mildly across at Bond.
“Sir Hugo Drax cheats at cards.”
MOONRAKER
CHAPTER 2. THE COLUMBITE KING
A bullying, boorish, loud-mouthed vulgarian. That would have been Bond’s verdict if he had not known something of Drax’s abilities.
MOONRAKER
CHAPTER 4. THE “SHINER”
Why should Drax, a millionaire, a public hero, a man with a unique position in the country, why should this remarkable man cheat at cards? What could he achieve by it? What could he prove to himself? Did he think that he was so much a law unto himself, so far above the common herd and their puny canons of behaviour that he could spit in the face of public opinion?
Bond’s mind paused. Spit in their faces. That just about described his manner at Blades. The combination of superiority and scorn. As if he was dealing with human muck so far beneath contempt that there was no need to put up even a pretence of decent behaviour in its company.
MOONRAKER
CHAPTER 8. THE RED TELEPHONE
Drax was very much the host. He rubbed his hands together. “Now, Willy,” he said, “how about making one of your excellent dry Martinis for us? Except, of course, for the Doctor. Doesn’t drink or smoke,” he explained to Bond, returning to his place by the mantelpiece. “Hardly breathes.” He barked out a short laugh. “Thinks of nothing but the rocket. Do you, my friend?”
MOONRAKER
CHAPTER 11. POLICEWOMAN BRAND
Hugo Drax was originally called Graf Hugo von der Drache. Drache means “dragon” in German – a suitable name for a man who owns an explosive rocket.
Fleming may have borrowed the name Drax from Drax Hall, one of the finest houses on the northern shore of Jamaica, or from a contemporary at school, the future Admiral Sir Reginald Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax, who in 1939 led the last pre-war mission to Moscow.