Throw Back Drink of the Past: The Hotel Nacional Cocktail
I must admit, one of my favorite aspects of this blog is the opportunity to delve into the rich history of classic cocktails and share my experiences with them. While I must admit that I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like to, given that I’ve already covered most of the popular ones, there are still countless undiscovered gems out there waiting to be explored. This is precisely what I feel about the Hotel Nacional cocktail – it’s a rare and delightful drink that is often overlooked, but once you try it, you’ll realize what you’ve been missing out on all this time.
Cuba is undoubtedly one of the most significant contributors to the world of cocktails, and it has given us numerous classic drinks that have stood the test of time. Among them, the Mojito, the Cuba Libre, and the Daiquiri are the most popular ones. The Daiquiri itself has undergone several variations over the years, and one such version is the Hotel Nacional, which is considered a delightful and historical twist on the classic cocktail.
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History of the Hotel Nacional Cocktail:
The Hotel Nacional cocktail has its origins in Cuba and is named after the hotel where it was first created. The recipe is said to have been crafted by Will P. Taylor, who was the bar manager at the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York before Prohibition. However, two other bartenders, Eddie Woelke and Fred Kaufman, were also present at the Hotel Nacional when the drink was first created. Although the true answer remains unclear, the recipe was first published in Charles H. Baker Jr.’s “Gentleman’s Companion” in 1939, and it was attributed to Taylor.
The Hotel Nacional cocktail is a blend of white rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, and apricot liqueur. While white rum is the preferred choice, aged rum can also be used, but it won’t be as vividly bright as white rum. The cocktail is sweetened with apricot liqueur, which adds a subtle fruitiness to the drink and balances the tartness of lime and pineapple. The addition of pineapple juice gives the cocktail a more floral result, and canned pineapple juice is perfectly fine, although freshly squeezed juice will yield a brighter flavor.
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The Hotel Nacional cocktail is a timeless classic and has become the signature drink of the hotel. Even today, it remains a popular choice among cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate the delightful combination of flavor and history that this drink offers.
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Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces white or aged rum
1/4-ounce apricot liqueur
1 ounce pineapple juice
1/2-ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2-ounce simple syrup
Garnish: lime wheel
Here are the steps to make The Hotel Nacional cocktail:








1. Add rum, apricot liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup into a shaker with ice.






2. Shake the mixture until it is well-chilled.



3. Double-strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.



4. Garnish with a lime wheel.



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