Dubonnet


Dubonnet is a sweet, aromatised wine-based aperitif. It is a blend of fortified wine, herbs, and spices, with fermentation being stopped by the addition of alcohol. It is currently produced in France by Pernod Ricard, and in the United States by Heaven Hill Distilleries of Bardstown, Kentucky. The French made version is 14.8% alcohol by volume and the US version 19%. The beverage is famous in the UK for having been the favourite drink of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

History

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 Foreign Legionnaires in North Africa to drink quinine. Quinine combats malaria but is very bitter.
Ownership was taken over by Pernod Ricard in 1976. It was re-popularised in late-1970s by an advertising campaign starring Pia Zadora. It is available in Rouge, Blanc and Gold varieties. Dubonnet is also widely known by the advertisement slogan of the French graphic designer Cassandre "Dubo, Dubon, Dubonnet", which still can be found on the walls of houses in France. The brand later became owned by Heaven Hill.
Dubonnet is commonly mixed with lemonade or bitter lemon, and forms part of many cocktails.
Reputedly Dubonnet is a favourite beverage of:
The following include Dubonnet as one of their ingredients: