Style and flavour

A soft, sweet red aperitif wine with dark berry and dried fruit flavours, a gently spiced middle and a light bitter grip from the quinine on the finish. It is lighter in alcohol and less overtly bitter than many quinquinas, which helps explain its long life as a mixer.

Key ingredients

  • red wine
  • herbs
  • spices
  • quinine

History

Dubonnet dates from 1846 and is credited to Joseph Dubonnet, a Paris pharmacist and wine merchant. The usual account is that it was developed when French authorities, during the conquest of North Africa, encouraged wine-based recipes that would make bitter quinine more palatable for soldiers. The brand itself now simply says 'since 1846', so the competition story should be treated as well-repeated tradition rather than documented fact.

The European brand passed to Pernod Ricard, and the UK and European product is made in Thuir in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in the same Eiffel-era cellars built for Byrrh, alongside Byrrh, Suze and other aperitifs.

The brand is split by market. In the United States Dubonnet is owned and made by Heaven Hill of Bardstown, Kentucky, which relaunched it in 2018 at 19% ABV with a reformulated recipe: a wine base including Muscat of Alexandria, cinchona bark, herbs and spices including black currant and tea, and cane sugar. The UK and European version is 14.8% ABV and is a different product.

In November 2021 Queen Elizabeth II granted Dubonnet a Royal Warrant. The warrant is now held by 'Dubonnet UK & Europe' as Purveyor of Aperitifs to HM The King.

Culture

Dubonnet is closely tied to the British royal family: Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II were both reported to favour it mixed with gin. In France its 'Dubo, Dubon, Dubonnet' advertising by the poster artist Cassandre is still remembered, and faded painted signs survive on old walls.

How to serve

Serve chilled, around 8 to 10°C, on its own or over ice with a slice of lemon. The best-known mix is the royal one: two parts Dubonnet to one part gin, with ice and a slice of lemon. For more ideas, see our tonic wine recipes.