To think the Queen had strange taste in drinks?

[Inextremis]

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!

Clearly no G&Divas here!

My grandma loved a Bonny Tonny (Dubbonet and tonic).

I like G & B over ice (preferably one big ice cube) with a twist of lemon.

I'm a G&Diva!!!

I quite like it, its refreshing with ice and an orange slice

There is nothing wrong with Gin and Dubonnet (one called it a Bloody Tower!) but what was bizarre was Mummy's absolute hatred for cucumber sandwiches cut into triangles.

Apparently the Queen and Queen Mother both liked the same drink, but prepared differently.
QM had equal parts of both
Queen liked 2:1 ratio of dubonnet to gin.

https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/celebrate-queens-platinum-jubilee-with-her-favorite-cocktail

I’ve noticed a rise is less sweet craft cocktails in bars and restaurants and they are universally referred to as herbaceous. Domain de Canton is another one of bitter spicy sweet complex profile used in craft cocktails.

My uncle used to call Vera Lynn ‘gin and it ‘ Vera @oscilla no idea why.

I’ve read that the late Queen’s preferred proportions were 2 parts Dubonnet, 1 part gin, served over ice with a lemon slice. I’ve tried this and it’s perfectly acceptable as an aperitif.

I believe that your real Dubonnet pro basically just had a glass full of gin over which someone had waved the Dubonnet cork.

Is that a 'Gin and It' (...talian) ?
MIL used to serve those before dinner (then white then ref wine with the meal, pudfing wine then 1 more Gin & It after as a 'digestif'. First meal I had with them I politely said: 'thank you' to each drink. I was 19 & came from a family who had a sherry at Christmas so was totally sloshed by the end !

Yes I believe it is a reference to Italian vermouth, so says google anyway! Happy memories of dear old auntie Kate sloshed at Christmas and any other occasion she could get away with. 😊

People have different tastes. There are people who drink Budweiser for example, which I would not give my worst enemy or even call a beer.

The late Queen's taste may have been unusual, though living to aged 96 it cannot have done her much harm if any.

Fellow G&Diva here. Love it with ice and a slice of orange!

My nan used to drink Dubonnet and lemonade. I don't know if it's nice, but it would be less bitter. Then you can drink the gin in classic G&Ts. No waste, problem hopefully solved.

She started drinking it in honour of the QM after she died.

The only thing I would ever criticise her about is the sweet tooth, which is also well known!

Why would you criticise someone for having a sweet tooth? Is it a character flaw?

If that's true, it's rather lovely. I too always thought it was well known as the Queen Mother's drink. having a cocktail as a tribute is a nice one.

I heard it was just for PR and in private she actually drank Stella, sometimes from the can, or in a glass if she had company. Can anyone confirm?

Is it like an Aperol type bitterness?

Somebody (forgive me for not scrolling to find out who, I've just had 2 Dubonnet and gins!) mentioned adding an orange peel twist. That person is a genius - you may not believe this, but that slight citrus tang makes the world of difference, and I'm finding it quite palatable (hic!) now. I think both the Queen and Queen Mother said this was their favourite drink. I wonder what Charles likes?

It's bitterer (I know that's not a word, but it is!).

I love Dubonnet. With gin it’s like rocket fuel, but it’s also delicious is you omit the gin and drink long with bitter lemon.

I heard similar about Prince Philip (from someone who met him and said he was clearly pissed.)

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

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

My lovely mil used to have a Dubonnet and Bitter Lemon.
She asked for it one day and got a Dubonnet and a bit of lemon! Her face!