Enjoy a royal sip with the fruity, bitter and sweetly herbaceous Dubonnet and Gin cocktail.
I am well acquainted with gin. All manner of gins as well, especially the latest Cabinet of Curiosities line from Hendrick’s. I love a frothy and smooth Gin Fizz, and especially enjoy the heck out of a Tom Collins whenever I have a crisp and balanced London Dry on hand. However, tonight’s cocktail made me pause when I saw what it was, as I honestly had never heard of one before. Not to my memory, anyway.
The Dubonnet and Gin is a tipple that can best be described as fruity and complex, with hints of blackcurrant and spicy bitter citrus from the Dubonnet, melded with the juniper, pine and licorice infused London Dry gin. This particular tipple’s claim to fame was being the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite apéritif, which she would enjoy daily before lunch.
And what exactly is Dubonnet? It is best described as a deep red aromatized wine, produced from a blend of fortified wine and an infusion of herbs and spices, along with quinine. Invented by French chemist Joseph Dubonnet in 1846, the spirit was originally made as a medical tonic for troops stationed in North Africa.
Like many such elixirs throughout history, clever and thirsty people began to discover that Dubonnet made some fantastic cocktails, like tonight’s.
What is the best gin to use in a Dubonnet And Gin?
As mentioned above, a London Dry is a wonderfully reliable—and traditional—choice for this evening’s drink. Options such as Bombay Sapphire and Beefeater will make lovely, balanced, and biting beverages, but we can also have a little fun with our selection, too. It is said that the Queen preferred Gordon’s gin, along with a two-to-one ratio of Dubonnet to gin.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces Dubonnet
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1 thin lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the Dubonnet and gin into a cocktail shaker or mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir well until the mix is chilled.
- Fill a rocks glass with 2 large ice cubes. Pour the chilled cocktail over the ice and garnish with the thin lemon slice.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Fill a rocks glass with two large cocktail cubes, pour your mixture over them and garnish with a fresh lemon wheel on top.
What is a good substitute for Dubonnet?
If you cannot find any Dubonnet or need to make an alternate choice for whatever reason, French apéritif wines like Lillet Rouge or Byrrh work nicely in its place. High-quality sweet vermouths, like Carpano or Dolin, can work as well, although their base is different from Dubonnet.
Other cocktails similar to the Dubonnet And Gin
Looking for more complex and rich-tasting tipples, featuring a swirl of infusions along with a beautifully bitter bite? Allow Twist & Toast to suggest a few classic libations, as well as one or two you may not be familiar with. Check these out below to pique your curiosity, then make sure you explore the site for even more delicious and relaxing ideas to sip on.
- Negroni – The legendary mix of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth is always a good choice.
- Jasmine – A contemporary favorite, comprised of gin, Campari and orange liqueur.
- Hanky Panky – Gin, sweet vermouth and Fernet-Branca join together for this robust elixir.
- Man O’ War – This sweet and citrusy treat finishes with a nice, smoky bite.
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