Dubonnet Blanc

What is Dubonnet Blanc?

Dubonnet Blanc is a variation of this famous drink, which uses fortified white wine instead of the regular red wine-based counterpart, the Rouge. This tipple is known as a quinquina, and was used mainly for the benefit of French soldiers and colonials in North Africa to combat malaria in the said district.

Quinine, a natural alkaloid with anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory properties was mixed to Dubonnet Blanc, so that people that time can take this medicine without being affected too much by its naturally bitter taste.

Aside from quinine, Dubonnet Blanc is composed of the following ingredients:

White grape brandy
Cinnamon
Green coffee beans
Chamomile
Orange peel

The Rise of Dubonnet Blanc

It can be concluded that the success of Dubonnet Blanc was being shared by the fame of Rouge, its red wine counterpart. It is believed that this tipple became the best-loved alcoholic beverage of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, also known as Queen Mother, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Being a Dubonnet enthusiast themselves, they were often seen holding a gin and a bottle of the drink during their picnics and bonding time. The liquor became more widely known upon introduction to the market. This brand, together with the Rouge, became the top-selling aperitif brand in the United States. And just like the famous adage goes, the rest is history.

Dubonnet Blanc and the Silverscreen

In the year 1976, a businessman and liquor enthusiast named Penrod Richard bought the brand. This was the time when Dubonnet Blanc was introduced to the market, together with the other varieties, Rouge and Gold. The brand became more popular in the same decade when an American actress named Pia Zadora, known for her movie "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians," which most film critics agreed to be the worst movie of all time, advertised it.

Dubonnet Blanc and the Arts

The Dubonnet variants were also well known for visual artists. Dubonnet Blanc had its fair share of contributing product knowledge to people from different social background, including those who belong in the field of arts. A Ukrainian French painter, commercial poster artist and typeface designer named Adolphe Mouron Cassandre had become a fan of this tipple. That would be the reason why he came up with the slogan "Dubo or Dubon or Dubonnet." He became a tool for the Dubonnet brand to be well known, and its market expanded.

Enjoying Dubonnet Blanc

Dubonnet Blanc became a staple ingredient for cocktails. You can enjoy this wonderful tipple in a lot of ways. The Queen Mother is identified for mixing 70% Dubonnet and 30% gin. She pours it in a glass after mixing, and serves with a lemon slice. This is a very easy yet sweet way to enjoy this liquor.

Another way to enjoy Dubonnet Blanc is to incorporate it with other liquors. A famous mix would be the 1940's Wedding Belle. The ingredients are: