Press and Media
The Revival
Dubonnet and gin was once a quiet ritual that followed the Queen from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral. A glass before lunch. Two parts Dubonnet to one part gin, served over ice with a slice of lemon.
It was elegant, simple and unmistakably British. Over time it slipped from view, left behind by cocktail trends and supermarket shortcuts.
G&D Spirits has brought it back properly. Real Dubonnet, blended with Blackeye London Dry Gin, distilled by Mike Tindall and the team at Hawkridge Distillers. Bottled at 23 percent ABV for the perfect balance.
This is the Queen’s drink, revived and ready to pour.
“I don’t even like gin, but fuck that’s good.”
— guest at Chelsea Flower Show lunch
The Founder’s Story
The idea for G&D began in an unexpected place. Somerset farmer Oliver Day first heard about the Queen’s Dubonnet and gin ritual while listening to the popular podcast Help I Sexted My Boss. What started as a passing mention turned into a small obsession.
“I wanted to taste the Queen’s drink properly, not guess at it,” says Day. “What I found was something timeless. It deserved to be made properly again.”
Working with Hawkridge Distillers, Oliver created G&D Spirits, blending genuine Dubonnet with Blackeye London Dry Gin to capture the exact balance of the original serve. The result is a modern British aperitif that honours tradition while fitting how people drink today.
The Founder’s Batch
The first release from G&D is the Founder’s Batch. Each bottle is numbered and made in England using the authentic blend. It is rich, balanced and quietly confident.
A small ritual worth keeping.
