Hotel Nacional

Tropical perfection from Cuba

Origin

The Hotel Nacional is another great cocktail hailing from Cuba. It was created in the bar of the Hotel Nacional, following its opening in the 1930s. Like many drinks from this era, there are a few bartenders who can claim credit for creating this sweet and tropical cocktail. Will P. Taylor is most widely accepted as the creator, he worked as the bar manager for the Waldorf-Astoria in New York before prohibition shut it down and he headed for Cuba. Eddie Woelke and Fred Kaufman also worked at the hotel during this time, so are often also credited. The drink became the signature cocktail of the hotel and incredibly popular with guests. The addition of an apricot liqueur and pineapple juice takes this mix away from a Daiquiri base, creating a tropical, sweet and fruity drink from the Caribbean.

How to make it

1. Add all the ingredients into the shaking tin.
2. Add ice and shake hard for 10-12 seconds.
3. Double strain into the glass.
4. leave it a moment to settle, the pineapple should create a little foamy on top.
5. To garnish float a thin lime wheel in the foam.

On the nose this one is really fruity, sweet pineapple and citrus upfront with a little apricot. On tasting the citrus blends into the sweet apricot and pineapple followed by the fruit and spice notes from the rum. A really great tropical cocktail, perfect for summer. If you love Daiquiris, Mojitos or any fruity cocktails really, you’ll love this.

Enjoy!

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