The late Queen enjoyed a tipple every now and then as much as the rest of us and a Royal Chef has revealed exactly what Her Majesty’s first choice of drink actually was.

Darren McGrady worked as the Queen’s personal chef for over a decade, cooking in both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, as well as travelling with the Royals between Windsor Castle, Sandringham House, and Balmoral Castle. Catering for Prince Philip, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry too, the former Royal chef has since revealed many culinary secrets from his time working at the palaces, including some of the Queen’s favourite meals and snacks – and even her favourite alcoholic drink.

According to McGrady, when in search of something a little stronger than her daily afternoon tea, Queen Elizabeth would usually choose a gin and Dubonnet. He told CNN in August 2017 that the late monarch would often opt for this pink drink as it was her favourite. Made like a classic gin martini the classic vermouth is replaced with Dubonnet, which is a rich and sweet fortified wine, paired with gin and often topped with a fresh lemon slice to create this brightly coloured tipple.


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Queen sips on a glass of alcohol


The Queen liked the drink so much, she awarded it a Royal Warrant before she died ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Although a little-known drink now Dubonnet was once a hugely popular drink in Europe in the late 19th century. With an interesting backstory it was originally created in 1846 by Parisian chemist Joseph Dubonnet. Its invention was prompted by a French government competition to find a way to make quinine, a treatment for malaria, more palatable for French Foreign Legionnaires stationed in North Africa. Dubonnet’s blend combined quinine with fortified wine, herbs, and spices, creating a unique and pleasant beverage that gained popularity as an enjoyable tipple in its own right.

According to some sources, the Queen Mother was also partial to a gin and Dubonnet. In 2021, the Queen awarded the brand a Royal Warrant and since 2022, the bottles have proudly stated “By appointment to HM the Queen” along with an image of the official crest. Only a small number of alcohol brands hold royal warrants – something which can only be awarded to a brand that has been served in the royal household for at least five years.

These include, but are not limited to, Angostura bitters, Bacardi-Martini, Bollinger champagne, GH Mumm champagne, Krug champagne and Johnnie Walker Scotch. All warrants appointed by the Queen were revoked and put under review when she died.