My introduction to Dubonnet Rouge was receiving a partially used bottle from my brother-in-law, who didn’t like it.  I accepted it as a challenge to find some good cocktails that might change his mind.

Dubonnet Rouge is an aperitif that blends red wines with herbs and spices.  The U.S. version is different from what you’ll find in Europe and has recently undergone an update.  The update included an increase in the quinine, which gives it a noticeable effervescence.  This is a characteristic of Dubonnet that I especially enjoy as it imparts this nicely in the cocktails I mix with it.  You can try using it in place of sweet vermouth in cocktails like a Manhattan or Vieux Carre or try out some Dubonnet-specific cocktails like the ones below…