Dubonnet Cocktail
The Dubonnet Cocktail is a classic aperitif that combines the rich, herbal flavors of Dubonnet, a fortified wine, with gin and a splash of fresh lemon juice.
- 5 min
- Easy
- Cocktail glass
- 4 ingredients
Dubonnet Cocktail
Ingredients
- Dubonnet Rouge1½ oz
- Gin¾ oz
- Bitters1 dash
- Lemon peel1 twist
Method
- Stir all ingredients (except lemon peel) with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
- Add the twist of lemon peel and serve.
What you need
Nothing fancy. Here is what to look for. We earn a small cut if you buy through these links, at no cost to you.
Aromatic bitters
One small bottle lasts for years and improves almost every stirred drink.
See on Amazon ↗The hero bottle
Gin stands as cocktail culture's most versatile spirit — a botanical-infused canvas that transforms simple ingredients into extraordinary drinks. From the elegant simplicity of a perfectly chilled Martini to the complex interplay of a Negroni, gin cocktails have shaped drinking culture for centuries.
See 112 Gin drinksWhere it comes from
The Dubonnet Cocktail emerged in early 20th century bars featuring the iconic French aperitif wine Dubonnet as its base. This classic represents the golden age of aperitif cocktails, when fortified wines were essential to refined social drinking.
Tips from the bar
- Stir gently to avoid over-dilution of the delicate wine
- Use quality gin to complement Dubonnet's complexity
- Serve well-chilled but not over-iced
Twists worth trying
- Dubonnet Martini
- Inverts proportions for gin-forward sophistication
- Dubonnet Spritz
- Adds Prosecco and soda for aperitif lightness
- Royal Dubonnet
- Incorporates cognac for deeper, warmer character
What to eat with it
- Pâté on crostini
- Prosciutto-wrapped melon
- Smoked almonds
- Aged cheese board
- Cured meats
The finished drink
Questions
What is in a Dubonnet Cocktail?
A Dubonnet Cocktail is made with dubonnet rouge, gin, bitters, lemon peel.
What glass do you use for a Dubonnet Cocktail?
Serve a Dubonnet Cocktail in a cocktail glass.
What does a Dubonnet Cocktail taste like?
Expect sweet, herbal, bitter.
What can I make with Gin?
We have 112 drinks built around Gin. See them all on the Gin page.
More with Gin
Every Gin drink →One good drink, every Friday.
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