Trident Cocktail

Name: Trident Cocktail
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 30 ml / 1 oz Aquavit; 30 ml / 1 oz Cynar; 30 ml / 1 oz Fino Sherry; 2 dashes Peach Bitters

Ingredients Instructions

The Trident is a uniquely savory and herbal cocktail that offers a sophisticated alternative to more common aperitifs. It's a creative riff on the Negroni, swapping every ingredient for something unexpected: aquavit for gin, Cynar for Campari, and Fino sherry for sweet vermouth. The result is a beautifully balanced drink that is dry, slightly bitter, and briny, with the distinctive caraway notes of aquavit leading the way. The Cynar adds vegetative bitterness while the Fino sherry provides a dry, nutty backbone, all tied together with the subtle fruitiness of peach bitters.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Trident is categorized as a Modern Classic cocktail, having been created in the early 2000s. Due to its flavor profile, it also functions perfectly as an aperitif, intended to be enjoyed before a meal.

Serving

The Trident is served straight up (without ice) in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It is a spirit-forward cocktail with a moderate alcohol by volume.

Serving size

Approximately 100 ml / 3.5 oz

Alcohol content

Approximately 25-30% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Coupe

Glass treatment

Chilled glass

Backstory

The Trident was created around 2001 by Seattle-based cocktail historian and author Robert Hess. He wanted to design a cocktail where the three main ingredients represented the three prongs of a trident. The Scandinavian aquavit represents the sea, the Italian artichoke-based Cynar represents the earth, and the Spanish Fino sherry represents the influence of Mediterranean culture. It has since become a respected modern classic in the craft cocktail community.

Origin

Created by Robert Hess in Seattle, Washington, USA, in the early 2000s.

Trident Cocktail

The drink is known almost exclusively by its original name, the Trident Cocktail, and does not have any common alternative names or nicknames.

Original name

Trident Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Trident boasts a savory, herbal flavor profile with a distinct caraway aroma from the aquavit. It has a smooth, silky texture and a beautiful clear, amber appearance.

Flavor

Herbal, Savory, Nutty, Briny, Slightly Bitter, Complex

Aroma

Caraway, Anise, Herbal, Oxidized Wine, Citrus

Taste balance

Bitter, Savory, Dry

Aftertaste

Long, Herbal, Dry, Saline

Fizziness

Still, None

Color appearance

Amber, Golden Brown, Clear

Texture

Smooth, Silky, Medium-bodied

Seasonality

Year-round, Warming

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a flavor-forward cocktail, dominated by herbal bitterness and savory spice notes from the aquavit. It is not sweet, sour, or fruity, presenting a dry and complex profile.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

The Trident is a simple equal-parts cocktail made with aquavit, the amaro Cynar, and Fino sherry. A couple of dashes of peach bitters are essential to round out the flavor.

Aquavit30 ml / 1 oz
A caraway-forward aquavit like Aalborg Taffel is traditional.
Cynar30 ml / 1 oz
An artichoke-based Italian bitter liqueur.
Fino Sherry30 ml / 1 oz
A dry, light style of sherry.
Peach Bitters2 dashes
Adds a subtle stone fruit note that complements the other ingredients.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

Standard stirring equipment is required to make this drink. You'll need a mixing glass, jigger, bar spoon, and a strainer.

Mixing glass for stirring the cocktail with ice.
Bar spoon for stirring.
Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pours.
Strainer to hold back the ice when pouring.

Instructions

This is a straightforward stirred cocktail. All ingredients are added to a mixing glass with ice, stirred until chilled, and then strained into a chilled coupe glass before being garnished with a lemon twist.

1. Place your coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer to chill.

2. Combine the aquavit, Cynar, Fino sherry, and peach bitters in a mixing glass.

3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with cubed ice.

4. Stir briskly with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until the outside of the glass is frosty and the drink is well-chilled and properly diluted.

5. Strain the mixture into your chilled serving glass.

6. Take a strip of lemon peel, hold it over the drink's surface, and twist it to express the citrus oils onto the drink.

7. Drop the lemon twist into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist garnish provides a bright, citrusy aroma that cuts through the drink's savory notes, adding a layer of freshness.

Lemon twist, expressed over the drink to release its oils, then dropped in or placed on the rim.

Dietary Information

This is an alcoholic beverage that is typically vegan, vegetarian, and free from common allergens such as gluten, dairy, eggs, and nuts. Always check individual ingredient labels if you have severe allergies.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

The Trident is a relatively low-calorie cocktail with a moderate amount of carbohydrates and sugar, primarily coming from the Cynar and sherry.

Calories

Averagely 150 kcal / 628 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Averagely 7g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Averagely 6g

Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is an excellent choice for a pre-dinner aperitif, as its bitter and herbal notes stimulate the palate. It's also well-suited for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as an impressive offering at a dinner party.

Aperitif
Cocktail Hour
Dinner Party
Sophisticated Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The savory, herbal, and slightly saline qualities of the Trident make it an excellent partner for salty and umami-rich appetizers. It pairs beautifully with charcuterie boards, marinated olives, hard cheeses, and smoked fish, making it a perfect pre-dinner cocktail.

Cured meats (charcuterie)
Olives and pickles
Hard, salty cheeses like Manchego or Parmesan
Smoked fish like salmon or mackerel

The Trident Cocktail: A Savory Voyage in a Glass

The Trident is a distinguished modern classic cocktail, masterfully created by Robert Hess as a savory and complex alternative to the Negroni. It is an equal-parts combination of Scandinavian aquavit, Italian Cynar, and Spanish Fino sherry, which come together to create a drink that is herbal, dry, and wonderfully intriguing. The subtle addition of peach bitters and a lemon twist garnish adds layers of aroma and brightness. Perfect for the adventurous drinker, the Trident is a sophisticated aperitif that showcases a unique harmony of global flavors.