Dubonnet was the choice of drink for our Late Queen Elizabeth. It is a sweet wine based aperitif blend of fortified wine, herbs, spices and a small amount of Quinine. Dubonnet was first sold in 1846 by Joseph Dubonnet in response to a competition run by the French Government to find a way of persuading French troupes to drink quinine which combats malaria. The brand name Dubonnet was taken over by Pernod Ricard in 1976. It was re-popularised in late 1970s by an advertising campaign starring Pia Zadora. They now make it available in Red, Vanilla and Orange flavours. Late Queen Elizabeth inherited her passion for Dubonnet from her mother. Also much like her Mother the Late Queen preferred it as a cocktail combining 70% Dubonnet with 30% Gin and a wedge of lemon under the ice.
