Treasure No.1 is an old-fashioned cocktail made with dark rum, syrup, aromatic bitters, and an apple cider float.
This simple cocktail was created in 1990s London by the late Dick Bradsell, the influential bartender behind modern classics like the Espresso Martini and the Bramble. Essentially a rum Old Fashioned with an apple cider float, the Treacre No. 1 (sometimes just called the Treacre) is one of Bradsell’s lesser known but equally delicious cocktails.
Molasses is a by-product of the sugar manufacturing process and is known to many as a sweet syrup sold primarily in the UK and its British colonies. Like molasses, this sweetener is often used in baking and often appears in recipes for sticky toffee pudding. There is light syrup (also known as golden syrup) and black syrup.
It is believed that Bradsell created the drink to replicate the unique sweetness, richness and aroma of this classic British drink.
Why Treasure Cruise No.1 works
The Old Fashioned is a classic favorite cocktail that bartenders love to tweak, with countless variations available, from Phil Ward’s agave-infused Oaxaca Old Fashioned to gin variations.
This simple plug-and-play process has made the three-ingredient cocktail a go-to for bartenders looking to characterize a particular spirit with a familiar template.
It is widely believed that Bradsell’s preferred rum for Treacle No. 1 was Myers Original Dark Jamaican Rum, which has a distinctive Jamaican “nose” and rich flavors of molasses, toffee and vanilla.
This recipe calls for a half-ounce of simple syrup, but you can adjust to taste, depending on the sweetness level of the apple cider you use. While Bradsell originally used clear, sweet apple juice, this interpretation uses unfiltered, less sweet cider. The result is a slightly tart, fresh-squeezed apple flavor that complements the burnt, caramel-like flavor of the rum.
Angostura bitters and a large orange twist garnish add a citrus note that enhances the rich flavor of the Treacle.
