The Queen’s favourite tipple Dubonnet has sold out in stores after Her Majesty awarded it a Royal Warrant.
Elizabeth, 95, has had to give up her daily snifter on doctor’s orders but a new generation of fans has sparked a surge in demand.
Supermarket chain Waitrose has run out of £9.50 bottles and Amazon supplies are limited.
Waitrose said it was “very popular” and last week sales rocketed by almost 100% year-on-year – just as it was given the royal seal of approval.
A spokesman said the store was hoping to have it back on shelves by the end of the month.
Until recently, the Queen enjoyed a daily pre-lunch “rocket fuel” cocktail of one part gin to two parts Dubonnet, with ice and a slice of lemon.
Annual sales of the aperitif topped 20 million bottles in the 60s and 70s but it fell out of favour in the 80s. But last year 500,000 bottles were sold, up from 350,000 in the previous year.
Simon de Beauregard, of owner Pernod Ricard, said: “The growth is partly due to lockdown, but we believe it is more to do with consumers looking for a lower-alcohol drink. It’s become fashionable with the young to use in Negroni cocktails.”
The “By Appointment to HM the Queen” labels will appear on Dubonnet bottles from next year.
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Parisian chemist Joseph Dubonnet created it in 1846 with quinine to help protect the Foreign Legion against malaria in North Africa.
It was sold in French bars and cafes and became popular with the British middle classes holidaying in France.
It took off in the UK when revealed as the Queen Mum’s favourite tipple.
