Discover the Zaza Cocktail! Mix gin, Dubonnet Rouge, and a twist of lemon to create a delightful drink perfect for any occasion.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 1½ oz Gin
- 1½ oz Dubonnet Rouge
- Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
- Ice cubes
Chilled Coupe Glass
Measuring Jigger
Cocktail Shaker
Strainer & Fine-strainer
Prep Glass: Fill your Coupe Glass with ice, give it a good stir and set aside.
Add Dubonnet Rouge: Measure and pour 1½ oz Dubonnet Rouge into the shaker.
Add Gin: Pour 1½ oz Gin.
Shake: Ice up the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
Prep Glass: Discard the ice from your coupe glass.
Strain: Fine strain your drink into your coupe glass.
Garnish: Garnish with a lemon peel.
Substitutes:
- Gin: If you don't have Gin, try using vodka for a cleaner taste. I've also experimented with white rum, which adds a different but pleasant flavor profile.
- Dubonnet Rouge: If you need help finding Dubonnet Rouge, sweet vermouth works well as an alternative. I've used Lillet Rouge for a slightly different twist, which brings a bit more complexity to the drink.
- Lemon Twist: An orange twist can work in a pinch if you're out of lemons. It changes the aroma slightly but still complements the drink nicely.
Making a Pitcher of Zaza Drink:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Gin and 12 oz of Dubonnet Rouge.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Gin and Dubonnet Rouge with ice cubes. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled Coupe glasses. garnish with a twist of lemon, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Gin's botanicals.
- Dubonnet Rouge Substitute: To mimic the complex flavors of Dubonnet Rouge, opt for a non-alcoholic red wine or make a simple syrup infused with herbs and spices.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
Some liqueur brands may use animal-derived fining agents in their production process, so check labels to ensure they meet vegan standards.