Hotel Nacional Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

A rum, pineapple, and apricot liqueur libation, the Hotel Nacional cocktail takes its name from the famous and luxurious landmark where it was invented.

Many a famous and well-known cocktail has its origins and roots in a hotel. Or specifically, a hotel’s bar. And no matter where you go in the world, each major city that you step foot in will have historic lodgings of some sort, often with a well-traveled tavern attached to it. For example, down on Sunset Boulevard about a half a mile from me, there’s a No-Tell Motel with a pizzeria/cocktail bar in its lobby. Have any iconic adult beverages emerged from this establishment? None that I am aware of, but only time will eventually tell.

The Hotel Nacional cocktail bears the name of the place it was born, a hotel called the Hotel Nacional. Opened in 1930, this legendary place was frequented by the likes of Hollywood star Ava Gardner, crooner Nat King Cole and even notorious gangster Charles “Lucky” Luciano. A luxury resort in Havana, Cuba, the Nacional’s bar was more than likely fully stocked with bottles of Bacardi rum, the local spirit.

And it is rum that the Hotel Nacional cocktail is built upon. American bartenders Wil P. Taylor, Eddie Woelke and Fred Kaufman had come to Cuba, where they used their knowledge and skills to mix drinks for the celebrities and tourists that came through. It is these three, with Taylor as the mastermind, that are often cited with the invention of the hotel’s flagship tipple. They are even given credit in Charles H. Baker’s The Gentleman’s Companion from 1939, where he states the Hotel Nacional Cocktail is “one of the three finest Bacardi drinks known to science.”

What Is The Best Rum & Liqueur To Use In A Hotel Nacional Cocktail?

In the movie Jaws, the old salt and shark hunter, Quint made a special request for apricot brandy. Our recipe needs a little apricot, and calls for using liqueur instead, but both are viable options. A brandy will be a little more robust and have an aged flavor, while the liqueur will be cleaner and less full-bodied. For the rum, go with a silver variety, which will be unaged, clear and have hints of sugar, banana and other tropical notes. A dark, spiced or golden rum is also a fun option, as the extra spices will add a whole new dimension to each sip.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Chill a coupe in your freezer for around 30 minutes before serving your cocktail. Once you’re ready to start sipping, pop a fresh lime wheel on the rim.

CAN YOU STORE THE HOTEL NACIONAL?

Sometimes you can make large batches of certain drinks to be ready-made when a large party rolls through your house, but this historic recipe demands that it be made on a drink-by-drink basis and served fresh.

Similar Cocktails To The Hotel Nacional

Rum and lime juice are a perfect pair. But many a lovely libation using rum also features the tangy and tart pleasures of pineapple juice. If the Hotel Nacional made your taste buds sing out in jubilation, then you’ll more than likely want to embark on a little drink journey, exploring more recipes that feature the tropical fruit and the Caribbean liquor. Try out a few of these this weekend, especially now that the weather is getting warmer.

• Rum Punch – Pineapple and orange juice swim together with dark and coconut rum in this potent potion.
• Rum Runner – Light and dark rums take your taste buds on a trip while mixed with the colorful flavors of tropical fruits.
• Malibu Sunset – Coconut rum, pineapple juice and orange juice help make the perfect beachside concoction.
• Piña Colada on the Rocks – Coconut cream, pineapple juice, and light rum come together in this smooth and frothy elixir.