Dubonnet
Dubonnet is the chose of drink for our current 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. Only about 8-9 thousand litres are sold a year and it is very niche market orientated. The majority of drinkers are known to be middle to upper class because of the historic nature behind it.
Queen Elizabeth inherited her passion for Dubonnet from her mother. Also much like her Mother the Queen drinks it as a cocktail combining 70% Dubonnet with 30% Gin and a wedge of lemon under the ice. Recent news regarding the Queen and her Dubonnet stated that while the Queen was on her way to Lords to watch the second ashes test, there was major panic as the only bottle of Dubonnet left in the royal cellar was out of condition. This created a frantic search around England to find a bottle of the Queen Favourite drink so that she could enjoy it while watching the match.