The Arnaud's Special is a creation of Arnaud's Restaurant in the French Quarter, New Orleans. It was the house cocktail there in the years after World War II.
I'm not a spirits drinker, but am a secret admirer of The Arnaud Special's Dubonnet Rouge, also a key ingredient in Her Majesty, The Queen's favorite gin apéritif.
Arnaud’s Special Cocktail
2 oz Scotch (Balvenie Double Wood, Johnnie Walker Red or Black, or for extra credit, Bunnahabhain)
1 oz Dubonnet Rouge
3 dashes orange bitters (Fee Brothers)
Stir with ice until very cold. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Express and garnish with orange twist.
And now for Her Madge the Queen's favorite quaff:
1 part gin
2 parts Dubonnet
Perfect lemon slice
Pour one part gin then two parts Dubonnet. Add lemon slice, followed by two perfect cubes of ice.
Robert Large, Yeoman of the Royal Cellars at Buckingham Palace, explains how to perfectly concoct HRH Queen Elizabeth II's beloved Gin & Dubonnet.