Hotel Nacional Special

Friday, March 11, 2016


With all the beautiful photos of Cuban cityscapes I've been seeing lately and wonderfully warm weather this week, the Hotel Nacional Special, the signature cocktail from Havana's Hotel Nacional de Cuba, seemed like just the thing for a Friday evening.


Hotel Nacional Special

2 oz rum
1/4 oz apricot liqueur
1 oz pineapple juice
1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup

Combines all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds; strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Notes: I wanted to let you all in on a little secret–simple syrup doesn't have to come from the store or be the result of any stove-top stirring. For this cocktail, I'd use a rich simple syrup; just microwave equal parts sugar and water until combined! Stick to white rather than aged rum or an agricole for this cocktail; Barbancourt is my personal favorite, but Bacardi will be just fine. And be sure to find a good-quality apricot liqueur, since it can make or break this cocktail. Cheers!


Image by Ann Street Studio.

3 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It's one of our favorites! But my most vivid memory of making this cocktail is even drinking it–it's driving all over SF hunting down apricot liqueur! Let's just say I wish I'd had that handy list of apricot liqueurs worth buying...

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  2. What a gorgeous photo...I am sucker for those coupe glassware!

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