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Original poster

To think the Queen had strange taste in drinks?

128 replies

Inextremis · 06/02/2026 12:51

I was watching a documentary about what the royals eat - and it was mentioned that the late Queen's favourite drink was equal measures of Gordon's gin and Dubonnet, with a couple of ice cubes. Well, I thought - I've never had Dubonnet, so why not give it a try? I've never been a fan of gin, but thought that maybe the Dubonnet improved the taste in some way. It did not. The drink is bitter and slightly sour. Does anyone drink this and really like it? I'm surprised that, with access to literally any drink on the planet, the Queen chose this. I certainly shan't be drinking it again!

OP posts:
ImWearingPantaloons · 07/02/2026 20:06

I actually prepared a gin & dubonnet for her Maj. Back in 1992.

ThisSharpShaker · 07/02/2026 19:59

I suppose it's a case of each to their own, we all have different tastes. I don't like dubonnet so won't want be trying it myself. 🤑

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 07/02/2026 19:24

A gin and Dubonnet is a wonderful thing, but you have to enjoy the bitterness...

rockingroller · 07/02/2026 19:23

Delicious but not popular now. She was of her time.

Allergictoironing · 07/02/2026 19:22

Boutonnière · 07/02/2026 18:19

It was fashionable when she was young and that’s what she decided she liked ? Cocktails then tended towards to bitter rather than the sugary ones of later decades - every cocktail cabinet (or drinks shelf )had Angostora bitters . I haven’t got a sweet tooth and my tastes inclined to the Campari end of the taste spectrum. I had Dubonnet once, at an 18th birthday party - think someone must have swiped it from a parent’s store as it wasn’t something teenagers drank - and the hangover was so spectacular that I could barely hear the word Dubonnet for years without wincing

Ah, Angostura Bitters! I used to love a pink gin over crushed ice in the summer, often turned into a long drink with either lemonade or tonic depending on mood, & a splash of lemon juice. So very refreshing on a hot day.

Bernardo1 · 07/02/2026 19:21

If she was partial to bitter cocktails, little likelihood of her asking for 'Sex on the Beach,' which may have been interesting.

landlordhell · 07/02/2026 19:10

Dubonnet has gone out of fashion but it will come back just like gin has. My nan( similar ahe to the Queen) used to like it with lemonade.

OneTrackMindToday · 07/02/2026 19:08

PeriMerry · 06/02/2026 17:40

Waves to fellow G&Divas!!! No clinking though.

I've actually never tried it, but I bloody love the podcast.

I tried it off the back of the podcast, it's delicious, but rocket fuel as others have said! Drink it SLOWLY

Boutonnière · 07/02/2026 18:19

It was fashionable when she was young and that’s what she decided she liked ? Cocktails then tended towards to bitter rather than the sugary ones of later decades - every cocktail cabinet (or drinks shelf )had Angostora bitters . I haven’t got a sweet tooth and my tastes inclined to the Campari end of the taste spectrum. I had Dubonnet once, at an 18th birthday party - think someone must have swiped it from a parent’s store as it wasn’t something teenagers drank - and the hangover was so spectacular that I could barely hear the word Dubonnet for years without wincing

Sorrynotsorry22 · 07/02/2026 17:59

Having a drink that doesn't taste too good, is one way to control drinking excessive amounts.
Personally I fing the super sweet easy on the palette drinks too morish.

Aurelia53 · 07/02/2026 17:56

When I was a student, I worked weekends at an upmarket Airport Hotel restaurant. They got the contract when Liz and Phil came to open a new factory and have lunch in the local town hall. Before sitting down, the head waiter approached her with a selection of her usual tipples on a tray, just so he wouldn't have to address her! Can't remember what was on the tray but along with gin and tonic, I'm sure there was a half pint of something. Philipp, of course, required no such niceties!

FrozenFebruary · 07/02/2026 01:35

anonocakey · 06/02/2026 22:56

A tampon?!!!

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🤣🤣🤣 that's what I thought too! Then decided I needed to google it, but forgot until I read your post

Lunde · 07/02/2026 01:19

Dubonnet was posh Martini/Cinzano

ErrolTheDragon · 07/02/2026 01:14

I’ve never tried Dubonnet but this thread has taken me back to the early 70s and its ad with the beautiful song Baïlèro which made me think it must be wonderful. ‘Dubonnet, s’il vous plait…’

LifesabagofRevels · 06/02/2026 23:42

G&Diva here too! Decided to try gin and Dubonnet one summer evening with a friend and had to be helped into bed 😂 it’s truly rocket fuel and not to be downed the way I drank it.

Edinburghdays · 06/02/2026 23:36

Thecomedyclub · 06/02/2026 21:27

I’m here!! Also a bucket head 🤭

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Me too! Cheers (no clinking) 🥂😁

ZenZazie · 06/02/2026 23:33

Well maybe she wanted to slow her gin consumption for moderation’s sake. Gin being something of a favourite family tipple.

unsync · 06/02/2026 23:28

Bit of Campari in that and then dilute the lot with some Prosecco and you've got yourself a nice long drink. Although you'll be shitfaced after a couple.

gototogo · 06/02/2026 23:14

I quite like it but I like bitter drinks

Waitingfordoggo · 06/02/2026 23:03

My Mum used to drink Dubonnet and lemonade in the 70s. Also Cinzano- I used to think she was very sophisticated 😂 I’ve never tried either of them as I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t like them- I don’t really enjoy spirits/aperitifs/liqueurs at all.

anonocakey · 06/02/2026 22:56

DuchessofStaffordshire · 06/02/2026 18:13

I decided to try James Bond's Vesper Martini one evening whilst cooking the dinner. I don't advise it. The cocktail was very nice, but my cooking skills decreased significantly with every sip.
Three measures of gin, one measure of vodka and a measure of Lillet.

A tampon?!!!

xxSxxxxxxx · 06/02/2026 22:48

Northerngirlabroad · 06/02/2026 21:01

Came here to say this 🤣

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Was my first thought when I saw this thread!

xxSxxxxxxx · 06/02/2026 22:47

PeriMerry · 06/02/2026 17:40

Waves to fellow G&Divas!!! No clinking though.

I've actually never tried it, but I bloody love the podcast.

'Give me the D'.....

AlphabetBird · 06/02/2026 22:17

This is incredibly outing, as I tell this story to everyone, but I drank what the dearly departed queen left behind of her G&D after a visit while cleaning up. The ice had obviously melted, so it was very watered down, but by god it was still strong. Not my idea of a lunch time drink at all.

Otherwise, 100% would drink again. Love a bitter drink.

LeonMccogh · 06/02/2026 22:16

This thread just makes me think of the G & Divas!