Why the Gin and Dubonnet Cocktail Deserves a Seat at the Table

And not just at the royal one.

The gin and Dubonnet cocktail is an oddity. Too bitter for sweet-toothed drinkers. Too royal for the mixology crowd. And yet, somehow, just right.

It’s the drink that quietly outlasted trends, scandals, and several prime ministers — all without changing a thing.

Equal parts dry gin and Dubonnet, served over ice with a slice of lemon. That’s it. No shaking. No garnish wars. No overcomplicated syrups with names like fog or foam.

And yet it remains one of the most enduring drinks in British history. Not just because it was Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite. But because it does exactly what a cocktail should. It resets you. Settles the nerves. Sharpens the tongue.

So why did it vanish?

Probably because it didn’t shout. In a world of glitter-rimmed martinis and jungle-green Negronis, the gin and Dubonnet is a lesson in understatement. Which, of course, makes it ripe for a comeback.

At G&D, we’ve brought it back with a little more attitude. Same idea, slightly more bite. Designed for those who prefer their drinks bold, not brash.

This isn’t just a cocktail. It’s a statement.British. Bitter. And not remotely bothered if you don’t like it.