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Dubonnet Rouge
750ml & 38 Proof
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review
What is Dubonnet Rouge?
Dubonnet Rouge is a sweet, wine-based aperitif with a secret formula that includes quinine, herbs, and spices, creating a unique flavor profile perfect for sipping or mixing. Interestingly, it was Queen Elizabeth II's favorite pre-lunch drink, often enjoyed as a cocktail of two parts Dubonnet to one part gin with a slice of lemon under the ice.
Why do we love Dubonnet Rouge?
Cocktail enthusiasts should embrace Dubonnet Rouge for its unique blend of fortified wine, herbs, and spices, including quinine, which gives it a subtle bitterness that perfectly balances its sweetness - a combination that's hard to find in other aperitifs and makes it an excellent base for classic cocktails like the Dubonnet Cocktail or the Queen Mother's favorite, gin and Dubonnet.
How do you drink Dubonnet Rouge?
Dubonnet Rouge shines as an aperitif sipped neat or over ice, but it also excels in classic cocktails that call for sweet vermouth or other fortified wines; its rich, spiced profile makes it ideal for cool autumn evenings, pairing beautifully with charcuterie boards or light appetizers.
$17.99
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Nose: Rich aromas of dark berries, particularly blackcurrant and plum, mingle with subtle herbal notes. Hints of tea leaves and a gentle spiciness emerge, along with a faint whiff of quinine.
Palate: Smooth and lightly sweet, with prominent flavors of ripe prunes and black cherries. The muscat wine base provides a pleasant grape-like sweetness, balanced by a subtle bitterness reminiscent of gentian root. Traces of cinnamon and nutmeg add complexity.
Finish: Medium-long with a gradual shift from fruity sweetness to a mild, pleasant bitterness. The quinine becomes more pronounced, leaving a slightly dry, spicy sensation on the tongue. Lingering notes of black tea and dark fruit round out the experience.
Dubonnet Rouge is crafted by blending fortified wine with a proprietary mix of herbs, spices, and quinine, then allowing the mixture to macerate for several weeks before filtering and bottling. The unique production process, which includes the addition of quinine-infused grape must to the base wine, creates a complex flavor profile that balances sweetness, bitterness, and herbal notes.
Main Ingredient: Grape
Country of Origin: France
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