The Negroni, a classic Italian cocktail, has evolved into a diverse cocktail category. The Dub Treo, a variation, features Appleton Estate rum, renowned for its rich character.
Carpano Antica Formula vermouth, a pivotal ingredient, offers botanical complexity dating back to 1786. Aperol, a lighter and citrusy amaro, replaces Campari, lending a unique touch.
Unlike the Negroni’s equal parts, the Dub Treo combines two parts rum with one part sweet vermouth and Aperol. A dash of whiskey barrel-aged bitters adds botanical depth.
This modern spin captures the Negroni’s essence while introducing captivating new dimensions, making it a must-try for cocktail lovers.
Dub Treo Cocktail Ingredients
The Dub Treo cocktail is a fusion of premium spirits and selected ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this cocktail recipe:
- 1 1/2 ounces Appleton Estate Reserve Rum: This Jamaican rum boasts a rich and complex flavor profile, characterized by notes of oak, vanilla, and tropical fruit.
- 3/4 ounce Aperol: Aperol is a bittersweet Italian liqueur known for its vibrant orange hue and flavors of orange, herbs, and spices.
- 3/4 ounce Carpano Antica Formula vermouth: Carpano Antica Formula is a premium Italian vermouth with a sweet, full-bodied taste and hints of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruits.
- 1 dash whiskey barrel-aged bitters: Whiskey barrel-aged bitters add depth and complexity to the cocktail, with subtle hints of oak, spice, and bitterness.
- Garnish: Orange Twist: The bright and zesty aroma of an orange twist serves as the perfect finishing touch for the Dub Treo cocktail.
Dub Treo Cocktail Recipe
Creating the Dub Treo cocktail is an artful process that requires precision and attention to detail. Follow these steps to make a cocktail that will elevate your spirits:
Step 1: Assemble Your Ingredients
Before you begin mixing, ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients and tools at your disposal. You’ll need a mixing glass, ice, a stirring spoon, a strainer, and a chilled coupe glass.
Step 2: Measure and Pour
In your mixing glass, carefully measure and pour the following ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces of Appleton Estate Reserve Rum
- 3/4 ounce of Aperol
- 3/4 ounce of Carpano Antica Formula vermouth
- 1 dash of whiskey barrel-aged bitters
Step 3: Stir with Precision
Fill the mixing glass with ice and gently stir the ingredients until they are well-chilled and perfectly blended. Stirring is a crucial step in achieving the desired balance and temperature for your Dub Treo cocktail.
Step 4: Strain into a Chilled Glass
Using a strainer, carefully pour the concoction into a chilled coupe glass. The chilled glass helps maintain the ideal temperature and ensures a refreshing sipping experience.
Step 5: Garnish with an Orange Twist
The finishing touch to your Dub Treo cocktail is the garnish. Express the oils from a fresh orange twist over the surface of the drink by giving it a gentle twist. This enhances the aroma and adds a burst of citrusy freshness to each sip.
The Dub Treo’s Flavor Profile
The Dub Treo cocktail is a masterpiece that showcases the interplay of its key ingredients. Let’s explore the flavor profile of this extraordinary drink:
Appleton Estate Reserve Rum: The foundation of the Dub Treo, this Jamaican rum introduces a rich complexity with notes of oak, vanilla, and tropical fruit. Its presence in the cocktail provides depth and character.
Aperol: Aperol contributes a delightful bittersweet quality, characterized by vibrant orange flavors and herbal nuances. It balances the cocktail with a touch of brightness.
Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth: The premium Italian vermouth adds sweetness and full-bodied richness to the Dub Treo. Notes of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruits complement the other ingredients beautifully.
Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters: The dash of whiskey barrel-aged bitters enhances the cocktail’s complexity, introducing subtle hints of oak, spice, and bitterness. It ties the flavors together seamlessly.
Orange Twist Garnish: The garnish of an orange twist provides a zesty and aromatic element that elevates the sensory experience of the cocktail. It adds a burst of citrus freshness with each sip.
The Dub Treo Cocktail
The Negroni, an iconic crimson-hued Italian classic, has evolved into a category of cocktails rather than just a single drink. While traditionalists may balk at this notion, it undeniably offers a versatile template that has inspired numerous variations.
One such variation is the Dub Treo, which adheres to the base recipe of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari while introducing unique twists in terms of individual ingredients and their proportions.
The Defining Element Is Rum
The defining element of the Dub Treo is rum. The concept of a Rum Negroni is no longer a novelty, and it particularly shines when crafted with a Jamaican rum like Appleton Estate.
This high-quality, reasonably priced aged rum serves as an excellent cocktail base due to its robust, distinctive characteristics and moderate dryness. It’s also readily available in most markets, making it a valuable addition to your home bar.
Even if you only plan to make a few Dub Treo cocktails, having a bottle of Appleton Estate is a worthwhile investment, as it can also elevate classic drinks like the Daiquiri or Rum Old Fashioned.
Selecting The Right Sweet Vermouth
When selecting sweet vermouth for the Dub Treo, there are numerous options to explore. However, this cocktail specifically calls for Carpano Antica Formula. This luscious, botanical vermouth has a storied history, dating back to its creation in 1786 as reportedly the world’s first sweet vermouth.
The primary departure from the Negroni in the Dub Treo lies in the choice of Aperol over Campari. While both are bittersweet Italian amari (and are owned by the Campari Company), Aperol possesses a lighter, more citrus-forward profile with a touch of sweetness, featuring notes of gentian and bitter orange. One of its most famous applications, and an avenue for experimentation once you’ve explored the Dub Treo, is the Aperol Spritz.
In contrast to the Negroni’s equal parts ratio, the Dub Treo adopts a composition of two parts rum and one part each sweet vermouth and Aperol. To impart additional botanical complexity and subtle dark notes, a dash of whiskey barrel-aged bitters is incorporated. If necessary, Angostura bitters can serve as a suitable substitute for this component.
