Dubonnet Fizz
I love champagne. I love it by itself, or mixed with other liquors or mixers. It’s one of my absolute favorite liquors. But while champagne is great all on its own any night of the week, I usually pop a bottle for special occasions: birthdays, graduations and of course New Year’s Eve. As a matter of fact, I always have a couple bottles for New Year’s Eve.
But as much as I love champagne, I like any cocktail that has bubbles. It doesn’t matter if it’s champagne, tonic or soda, those bubbles make the drink even more festive. Sure, champagne is always the drink of choice for New Year’s Eve, but who says it has to be? What if you don’t like champagne, but are a huge Gin & Tonic fan? Why couldn’t you just have a G&T instead? After all it still has bubbles which means it’s just as festive. So, with that in mind, I wanted to introduce you to the Dubonnet Fizz.
This is a great cocktail that’s just as festive as champagne. But since it’s made with Dubonnet, citrus and soda, it’s a little more exciting. See, as much as I love a nice glass of wine or champagne, I’ll never turn down a cocktail. All those mixers and liquors just make for a more interesting drinking experience. The Dubonnet is no different.
As an aperitif, it has a slightly higher APV (Alcohol per Volume) than your standard champagne, but not enough to knock you out. Add some tart orange and lemon juices along with a touch of sweet Cherry Heering and of course those wonderful bubbles and you have a great vintage cocktail. That’s right, I said vintage. I found this gem in the pages of my 1935 Old Mr. Boston Bartenders Guide and I’m so happy I did. It’s full of tart, herbaceous flavors (thanks to the Dubonnet), that are absolutely delicious. But it’s those bubbles that put this drink over the top and make it a cocktail well deserving of ushering in the new year.
Don’t get me wrong, I love champagne on New Year’s, but this Dubonnet Fizz is a great alternative. One that I plan on serving this year and probably for years to come.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce of orange juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Cherry Heering
- 1-1/2 ounces Dubonnet Rouge
- 2-3 ounces club soda
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients except the club soda into a cocktail shaker. Add the ice and shake vigorously until chilled. Strain into a wine glass. Add the club soda and enjoy.
