Classic Dubonnet Cocktail Recipe

Ah, a Dubonnet cocktail — it's a drink that seems inherently posh and sophisticated, but maybe that's because it happens to be Queen Elizabeth's cocktail of choice. You don't have to be a member of the royal family to imbibe like one, however; all you need is this recipe from developer Christina Musgrave for a classic Dubonnet cocktail. "I love this cocktail because it's so simple but so good," Musgrave raves. "There are only three ingredients, and it's so easy to make."

Aside from Dubonnet, the only other two ingredients are gin and an orange peel, so it's kind of like a gin martini. Instead of vermouth, of course, the Dubonnet, a fortified wine that "tastes spicy and fruity," according to Musgrave, comes into play. "The gin makes the cocktail even more boozy, and the orange adds a hint of citrus," she adds. It's pretty classy for such a boozy cocktail, but that's because the Dubonnet provides some complex flavors. The end result is a simple but divine cocktail, one that you'll want to sip slowly to catch all of the spicy flavor notes.

We've already covered the fact that you'll need just three ingredients to make a classic Dubonnet — the Dubonnet itself, of course, some gin, and an orange peel for garnish. Naturally, a cocktail with so few ingredients relies pretty heavily on each and every one of them, so there isn't much room for substitutions on this one. 

Fill a cocktail mixing glass with ice, then pour in both the gin and the Dubonnet. Stir for 15 seconds, so that the two liquors fully combine and acquire a nice chill. A good way to tell the drink is adequately chilled is by holding the glass as you stir. If the glass gets so cold it becomes uncomfortable to touch any longer, you're good.

Strain the cocktail into either a rocks or martini glass, then finish it off with a fresh orange peel. "The longer the orange peel sits in the drink, the more citrus flavor will be infused," Musgrave notes. So if you're a fan of citrus, you may want to wait a few minutes before sipping.

Because this cocktail is adequately boozy, easy to make, and quite classy, it's a great option to enjoy on your own or with guests. "This is a great cocktail before a dinner or an easy cocktail to bring to a dinner party," Musgrave says. If you do show up to a party with Dubonnet ingredients, it's safe to say that your friends will want you to play bartender all night long.