Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: GSTQ

Happy Friday once again everyone!

Despite being across the pond, I’ve been watching as much coverage of the ceremonies surrounding the Queen’s funeral as I can. As has been mentioned here before, I am a huge history nerd and witnessing the first funeral for a sovereign in 70 years is certainly noteworthy. Not to mention the over the top pomp and circumstance that goes into the many ceremonies going on. Regardless of thoughts on the monarchy as a whole, they do know how to put on a good show.

If you haven’t guessed yet (also spoiler alert from last week’s comments), this week I’m making the Queen’s favorite cocktail: Dubonnet & Gin.

I can’t recall having a cocktail made with Dubonnet before, so I’m very curious to see what the appeal is and how it works with the gin. I imagine it will work rather well since one of the main ingredients is Cinchona bark, used to make quinine, which also happens to be a main ingredient in tonic water. So I’m already thinking this is going to turn out well.

I’ve seen a couple variations of proportions for this particular drink. Food & Wine and Tasting Table say to use a 2-1 ratio of Dubonnet to gin. Meanwhile the actual website for Dubonnet says equal parts (1.5 oz. to be precise).

Given that Food & Wine cites the Yeoman of the cellars at Buckingham Palace (whose job it is to order and keep on hand the alcohol served there) I’ll make their version:

1 ounce gin (the Queen prefers Gordon’s London dry gin)

2 ounces Dubonnet

Half of a lemon wheel

Ice cubes

Pour one part gin and two parts of Dubonnet into a small wine glass, or chalice. Add the half lemon wheel to the mixture, then top with two perfectly proportionate ice cubes, sinking the lemon into the cocktail. (Note: Add more ice at your own discretion.)

The nose is very fruity. Specifically red wine. Shocker, I know. However there is a lot more wine aroma detectable in this than there is in Lillet, or other French aperitifs I’ve had before.

The sip is heavy on the Dubonnet flavor. Which is mostly wine, with hints of bitter undertones from the Cinchona, and some of the other blended herbs and berries used in the production. As expected, the gin pairs very well here. The sharp juniper bite is reduced by the Duboonet, but the Gordon’s does come through about midway through the sip. The half lemon wheel is a great garnish. Though I did find that squeezing the lemon added a little more of a citrusy, sour bite that really compliments the flavor profile going on here.

I thoroughly like this. It’s light and very flavorful. Mrs. Sharkbait topped hers with a splash of tonic, and that did not take away anything from this at all. The Yeoman of the Cellars has absolutely nailed the ratio as well. I tried making one listed on the Dubonnet site (AKA the equal parts recipe), and I didn’t think it was as good as the 2 to 1 ratio.

Will drinking a Dubonnet & Gin make you royalty? Most definitely not, but you can certainly feel like it while you enjoy. Plus according to Tasting Table, the Queen started drinking before noon. So if lunchtime cocktails are good enough for the Queen, they’re good enough for all of us!

Have a good weekend!

GSTK!

(Banner image courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)

5 4 votes
Article Rating
Sharkbait
Sharkbait has not actually been bitten by a shark, but has told people in bars that he was for free drinks. Married to a Giants fan, he enjoys whisk(e)y, cooking, the Rangers, and the Patriots.
Subscribe
Notify of
40 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
The Maestro

Evening, gentlefucks and gentlefuckettes. I am writing trombone music and drinking dollar beer while watching the CFL. I am in the goddamn POCKET right now.

Dunstan

Now that the heat wave from hell is over, I’m going to pretend it’s autumn and start using my bottle of allspice dram. Got some limes here, so it’s going to be The Lion’s Tail to start: bourbon, allspice dram, lime juice, Angostura, simple syrup.

King Hippo

Wait, the NBA owner in PHX was DasRaycess? Colour ME shocked 😲

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

We need to add our own twist to this and it can go in the books as the “Corgi”.

BeefReeferLives

comment image

Don T

Gordon’s? Quite the proletarian, Lizzie.

Don T

It is. My folks bought it when I was a kid. I mixed it with passion fruit cocktail. Delish!

Gumbygirl

I like Tanqueray myself.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

What’s the new King’s favorite drink? Pimm’s cup in a pimp cup?

Gumbygirl

I am a nerd, so I looked it up. Charles and Camilla both like wine. Charles also likes a gin and tonic. He drinks beer too.

SonOfSpam

Being unemployed fir 73 years tends to make one enjoy the drink.

Gumbygirl

He also has his own brand of organic single malt, so I guess he drinks that too?

Gumbygirl

And of course
Tampon String Cocktail
Mixed Drink Recipe from Cocktail Builder
1 1/2 oz of whipped cream
1 oz of cherry liqueur
1 of cherry
1 oz of Vodka

Layer the shoppingmode vodka and cherry liquer then put whip cream on top and a cherry on that when taking the shot engulf the whole thing and after you swallow pull the stem of the cherry out.

SonOfSpam

Sounds bloody terrific!

Game Time Decision

but only for a few days a month

SonOfSpam

Camiller Genuine Draught

SonOfSpam

(King Chuck rolls into Hooters and orders a Slippery Nipple)

2Pack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oViOQ-_c8h8

I have heard that the Dubonnet is more of a supper club…

Horatio Cornblower

Talking to my father about ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ and he informs me that he’s decided he needs to start watching more English soccer.

Me: “Oh that’s a great idea! Here are so…”

Dad: “I’ll probably root for this team called Chelsea.”

Me: “Oh, fuck OFF!”

King Hippo

This makes me wonder, is anyone kin (especially as closely as father/son/daughter) to a supporter of a blood enemy like that?

Horatio Cornblower

Meeting him at the bar. I’m not going to sell him on Arsenal, but I am going to direct him to something like Crystal Palace.

He did say he won’t root for Liverpool because John Henry owns them, and Dad’s a very angry Red Sox fan.

King Hippo

So, he owes you for the Yankees thing!

SonOfSpam

As the resident Crystal Palace “fan” please give your Dad my regards or not what am I your social director

litre_cola

Dear God no! Does hhe know that their stadiu

/hit by a beer bottle from the back

ballsofsteelandfury

I may actually make myself a cocktail to celebrate this morning’s Preliminary Final. That was a very nice way to wake up.

SonOfSpam

Not an especially close match. MEOW.

ballsofsteelandfury

Well done on your well-earned Gently-Used Fleshlight!

SonOfSpam

My trophy case is more polluted than Hef’s grotto

BeefReeferLives

or they would just wish that they were blind…

comment image

BeefReeferLives

…or a certain stretch of I-40 in Oklahoma

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I mean it’s not the *best* way to wake up, but I’m sure it was nice.

Game Time Decision

did you sip the drink with your pinkie out?

and

I’m surprised that the Dubonnet site didn’t call for more of their product in a drink. That’s just a wasted opportunity.