How to drink like a royal

Dubonnet, that staple of the Seventies drinks cabinet and toe-curling Abigail’s Party-like gatherings, has finally been awarded a royal warrant by the Queen. A royal warrant recognises those who have supplied goods or services to the royal households of either the Queen or the Prince of Wales (and, formerly, that of the Duke of Edinburgh) for at least five years and who continue to do so.

Her Majesty’s passion for this aromatised, wine-based tincture is long-standing; she reportedly enjoys a glass every day before lunch with two parts Dubonnet mixed with one part gin and served over ice and slice. It was also the favourite drink of her mother. If nothing else, Dubonnet must surely be the key to royal longevity.

I wonder what took HM the Queen so long to honour Dubonnet officially as her Purveyor of Aperitifs. After all, she has drunk enough of it over the years and shows good form in doling out warrants to her top tipples, with around 40 or so drinks producers and purveyors thus recognised (out of a total 800 current warrants).