My goodness, just finally made this today and I’m incredibly impressed at how soft and delicious this cocktail is

I’ll totally Havana good time after a few of these! Gracias Señor Anders!

I love the music during Cuban cocktail videos, it really takes you to another world...

Anders I finally got myself some Apricot Lacour today and made myself this one. It’s one of the first cocktails that I saw you make and inspired me to follow your channel. Been building up my bar and making more and more of these old classics. Great cocktail and I think one of my new favorites. Thanks for all your great videos.

We haven't done the history on this one, but I'm excited to get to it. Usually the drinks named after hotels have really great stories. I also need to try this drink

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah so many stories travel through hotels, and the Hotel Nacional definitely saw it’s share of characters!

You're one of a kind, Anders. I love the nature and delivery of your content. You're quite photogenic but also very informed, as well as proficient in what you do. This is good.

Looking back at some of these older videos I have to say your videos have gotten way better, and that's saying something because they were already great.

I'm happy that you guy decided visit my country, I really hope you enjoy it bro. Thank you so much for your channel and the good vibes that you always transmit :)

You guys are the best thing to come out of this pandemic! I have been binge watching all your vids! Lol

I’ve been watching the classic cocktail playlist whenever I have free time recently and decided I would only “like” it if you guys made me laugh out loud. I have “liked” every video I have watched.

I found the hotel nacional today. So we had my main dish concoction of a Carribean rice pan, and now pineapple cup cakeswhile enjoying hotel nacional's and watching Eurovision. A strangely perfect mixture.

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a perfect day to me! Cheers!

Yes! Looks super refreshing! Awesome work

@christineleary1688

3 жыл бұрын

Can’t wait to try this!!

That lime floating on top is sooooo beautiful 😍

Just tried it. A HUGE crowd pleaser. Thanks!

Well done Anders, drink is perfect and one of my wifes favorite.

Wonderful video! I'm really enjoying your creative KZread content and looking forward to trying this drink.

I've had a good number of drinks at El Nacional over the years, possibly including this one, though I'm pretty sure yours is better. For one thing, I can't imagine them going to so much trouble... all those ingredients! Probably some reconstituted pineapple juice and a little lime and some rum. Bada bing.

Wow. I am just getting started in my home bartender journey but I always bring examples up for my wife to try. On this one, she suggested I leave it with her and I could make myself another one. Very good drink. Thanks for the video.

I like this one for summer. Never had it, but worth a shake!

I went to Cuba in 2012, amazing trip. The Hotel Nacional also makes the best mojito that I had in Cuba.

@Barprints

3 жыл бұрын

Haven't been there in years. Reminds me (topographically) a bit of Jamaica. Dying to go back and check out Havana.

god I love this channel. Keep up the good vibes and good work ya'll. Stay safe out there!

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Jennifer! Appreciate the comment. Cheers!

"If you are purist when it comes to pineapple juice..." Another sentence I never thought anyone would say! Great content!

I have also tried this with a quarter ounce of falernum instead of the semi-rich simple you used and it works marvelously

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds wonderful! I'm going to have to give that a try. Cheers!

loove your vids anders

Love the content! Made a trip to Havana a few years back when they made the travel changes. Simultaneously beautiful and sad..the people are amazing though! Bought my first bottle of Cuban Havana Club Seleccion De Maestros on that trip…amazing stuff. Haven’t been back but I usually snag a bottle or two of Cuban rum when I’m in the Caribbean and bring it back. Thanks again for all the great videos!

I've given up booze for a bit and these videos are really helping me. I can enjoy nice drinks through eyeballs instead!

@sandygess6115

Жыл бұрын

Mocktails can be really delicious. Anders: do you have an episode?

I went a few years ago and it was pretty cool.

Haha! You're so fun to watch.

I've been to that hotel. Need to make me this and relive the good times.

Cheers

Nice commentary on the consistency of pineapple juice… good tip! All the best from New Zealand 🇳🇿

I went to Cuba in the spring of 2019 as part of a school trip (Number 8. Educational Activities & People-to-People, before its omission later that year), and we went to Hotel Nacional as our first stop. We enjoyed this house cocktail as we sat in the hotel's yard. This cocktail conveys to me an old-school aura, I think it's the apricot taste, but it pairs so well with the incredibly old-school Hotel Nacional. That place is such a trip, the building is locked in time, from the décor to the floor tiles to the wait staff uniforms. Take a trip to Havana for the hotel and its house drink, and you'll truly be transported 80 years into the past.

Looks fantastic....and duh, I like a daiquiri!

oh yeah...rum and cigars are great together.

I fucking love you guys. Always fun, always informative, always getting me interested in new cocktails. Thank you Anders and Az. Thank you so much.

And now I have to go and buy apricot liqueur! Looks amazing.

@WhiskeySugarBitters

3 жыл бұрын

Try to find Giffard Apricot, it's REALLY good!

@TheTribalBarGuy

3 жыл бұрын

@@WhiskeySugarBitters I really enjoy using Giffard products, and even if I readily have available quite a few of them in the shops around, Apricon liqueur is not too popular here apparently. But I will definitely get it! Cheers.

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

I agree completely. The Giffard is harder for me to come by, but it is really good.

@TheTribalBarGuy

3 жыл бұрын

@@AndersErickson And apart of brand availability, certain flavours are much harder to come by, depending where you live. There is Peach literally everywhere I look, but no Apricot liqueur. What we have to go through for a good drink. haha :@)

@WhiskeySugarBitters

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheTribalBarGuy Where are you located?

I might do this with our local Abricotine!

I appreciate the links for the bar supplies that you use in the description. Could you also add the bottles/pour tops that you use for the lime & pineapple juice?

If you make it to Havana be sure to also try the house cocktail at El Biky. Fabulous variation on a mojito at a restaurant of the same name. Walking distance from the National.

Funny to rewatch this video and see that you taught us how to make the "Cigar" cocktail! Hahaha

I’ve been to Havana three time for support for the Cuban people. Have had a Hotel Nacional cocktail at the Hotel Nacional. Yours is very close, use 2 oz of rum instead of 1.5 oz. Great work.

@Barprints

3 жыл бұрын

Great to know this recipe is authentic👍

Tried this as is with Real McCoy 3, tasted like straight pineapple juice. Tried it again with Plantation Xaymaca (blend of aged Jamaican rums) and was much better.

"And don't inhale and hold, that's for... other things" This one got me cracking xDD

One of my favorite drinks! Definitely not consumed widely enough.

Yummmmmm

I’ve read ppl comments here on how they have Been to Havana cuba Hotel nacional that emblematic hotel…I’m Cuban and before flee for the free world I went there a couple of times…just to admire and smell the history however I was limited to that..just watch….because I couldn’t afford to buy anything….just watching how the tourists and locals with Loooot of money sipping their drinks 😂 😂 😂 I had to wait until I came here to the great States to start to knowing what the world of cocktails is and how you can drink your own crafted cocktails,be your own barman tender all without have to be rich 🤑 thanks to channels like this of course thanks man you are my favorite.

@manrex5238

2 жыл бұрын

@DRC oh thanks DRC and yes there are so many things here in this great nation that ppl take for granted and others that just doesn’t appreciate at all and that is until you don’t have it no more the most important thing of all and that is….??? you guess it like the great William Wallace screamed at the top of his lungs FREDOOOOOM!!!!! and I’ve seen that freedom the USA has fought so much for is being taking down step by step from us…..and is in big danger of disappear forever and then the emptiness.

@ericktellez7632

2 жыл бұрын

@DRC Wow hold on buddy, Cuba is like that because of you, because of what the US government is doing to Cuba, placing an embargo for well over 40 years, not allowing other countries to trade with Cuba and restrictions towards Americans visiting Cuba… its your fault Cuba is like that not the system.

@SuWoopSparrow

2 жыл бұрын

@@ericktellez7632 No point in telling them that. They want to believe they are living in a merit-based system and that their position is purely the result of genuine innovation and ingenuity. Meanwhile, Communist China is bringing more and more people out of poverty every year, while the US has an increasing wealth gap and shrinking middle class.

@MarcoFlores-um7cj

2 жыл бұрын

You went to the country that has your country like that lol.

@manrex5238

2 жыл бұрын

@@MarcoFlores-um7cj What did you said??……that’s ignorance at It’s finest….listen if you’re not Cuban I can understand because you don’t live there and what you say is going to be very off from what the reality is kind of these MF socialist here in USA that want that system and have no F…clue what they really want..now if you are Cuban then you most be one of those bastards living good because you receive money form here(the enemy) lol 😂 or you work for that dictatorship and take advantage right? meaning you can travel and so on, ok to explain here would be impossible but I’m gong to illustrate you a little bit:the biggest embargo and the most infamous one is inside cuba and they(the bastard dictators) are the responsible for it because they want the Cubans to stay poor so they are the only ones on the mountain top thus dominate the way they want,I have a friend that owned a nice bar restaurant in varadero cuba and he employed several ppl and those ppl brought food to the table for them and their family and like any business my friend had a profit and wanted to invest more but the government authorities not only stop hem for doing so but because he was getting “richer” took everything From him…..thus the jobs of those several families and shut him down luckily he did not go behind bars….then he went to the USA embassy in cuba at the time(now we have non) and asked for a refugee visa alleging he would be persecuted due to this problem…..the UNITED STATES embassy grated visa to him and now he came to Miami like 5 years ago and open no just one but two!!! grills and bar restaurant here and have like 20 employees making America great……do you see the irony???…… so if you don’t know what you are talking bout then don’t say anything.

I want to go to Cuba too!

@Barprints

3 жыл бұрын

Great to check out. Some parts look frozen in time.

VIVA CUBA

Looks delicious! Kinda bummed I didn’t try one when I was in Cuba! Guess I need to go back for...umm...research! Yes, that’s it!

@AndersErickson

4 жыл бұрын

Exactly!

@IndigoWall

4 жыл бұрын

Nice steady tender’s hand on the lime drop! ‘Fraid that might not happen f me. Shall endeavor, howsoever!

@AndersErickson

4 жыл бұрын

😂 good luck!

Hey, I missed this cocktail when you originally made it. Rum, lime and pineapple always sound fabulous, and especially so, with the apricot liqueur! As for a trip to Cuba?! - I can't make up my mind on that one. I am in Vancouver, so we have long been able to travel to Cuba for vacations. You know, a lot of people are kind of disappointed. I have never been. I opt for Maui and nice hotels and beautiful beaches! It's probably getting better in Cuba as some big hotel chains have been there longer, but food quality and such can still get lousy ratings. There is a lot of history but I think it can also be a bit depressing. It's like walking back in to about 1950, as friends have described it who have visited. But you and your partner might love it! Maybe a trip to the Hotel National will be a fabulous idea, post-pandemic?!! Lovely cocktail Anders. I will be making it soon!!

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Christine! I've heard that about Cuba as well, but I still want to go. It's home to such wonderful cocktails! 😊

@christinecamley

3 жыл бұрын

@@AndersErickson I hear you! Cuba does have some amazing cocktails!

@SnowTheOwl

3 жыл бұрын

As someone who has been to Maui and Cuba, you made the right choice in going to Maui. I even went to the Hotel Nacional and I was served mayo on a cracker as an appetizer. This was an expensive event as well not just there as a regular tourist visiting. I will say they do serve lots of alcohol and I had plenty of good pina coladas and mojitos.

@christinecamley

3 жыл бұрын

@@SnowTheOwl Yikes!!

@alexrolfes4473

2 жыл бұрын

I've been to Cuba and it's an amazing, magical place. Highly recommended.

I loved it!!! What is that glass called??? I want some

Hmmm looks like i need some apricot liquor

Looks delicious and can’t wait to try! WTF am I gonna do with that big ass bottle of apricot liquor.... that’s a lot of Cuban Nasionals!

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

Hahaha...you’re not wrong, but you’ll be set for a Cuban party!

@ozymandias3456

3 жыл бұрын

Apricot liqueur is used for a lot of old obscure recipes assuming they mean Apricot liqueur instead of literal Apricot Brandy

Just a tip about pineapple juice, always press the bottom half of the pineapple, its sweeter.

looks delicious , i wonder how it be using havana club 3 year

What cocktail glasses are these?! They are perfect!

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

This is the Georgian Irish Coffee Glass by Libbey. I love it for a number of different cocktails though!

Would love to know where you got the apricot liqueur? I am having a very hard time finding here in Milwaukee.

13.Maffioso

I'll try this. I have all the ingredients. Usually, I'm missing something.

Mahhh, inhale and hollllddddd!!!! Lol

If you ever get to Cuba, do try the Nacional’s lemonade that they make at the bar to order - on a very hot day in Havana in 2002 it was one of the most refreshing drinks I have ever had

Well I have several large humidors full of only cuban cigars, I say "let's roll", you help me with the booze, I'll line ya out on the sticks. YES SIRRRE

Do you strain your dole pineapple juice before you use it for this cocktail? I find some cocktails are better with pulp (tikis) and some are better without pulp.

I made this for my wife last week and now she won’t stop asking for them😅

This is funny: as you asked the question, my Alexa answered the question.

Nice. I tried it but I might prefer slightly less pineapple. My mom took swimming lessons there as a child, shortly after they opened. I have pictures of the damage the hotel sustained due to revolution in 1933. Anders, by the way, I'm friends with Dan and Garth...

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

Nice! Great guys. Hope they’re well. I love that you’ve got old pictures of the hotel! I could’ve used them in this video 😂

I'm a lucky bastard. I'm Danish, so I can buy cuban rhum or cigars and even go there 🤗

Amazing video as always. Was the original made with dark or light Cuban rum? Because I only have Havana 7 which is dark. (By the way I am a cigar smoker, and cigars can be vastly different from each other, just as a badly made nightclub old fashioned and a good home made old fashioned with quality ingredients. If you stay away from poorly made cigars that’s already a good start in this hobby :) Keep up the great work 👍

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

The original recipe would’ve called for light rum like Havana 3 (although I’m guessing it was Bacardi at the time, seeing how it was distilled in Cuba back then), but I say go for it with the Havana 7! It’ll be a heftier version, but no doubt a delicious take on it. As for cigars, would you have any tips on an entry style to try?

I cannot find apricot liqueur anywhere - is there a substitute? Apricot brandy?

Havana is fun. You should go. And there are easy ways to get there (via Cayman Islands). So I hear.

@Barprints

3 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to visiting Havana someday. Was in Varadero and sadly didn't have enough time

@BillStreeter

3 жыл бұрын

There are direct flights from Florida. I took Southwest.

It's five o'clock!!!

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

That’s right! Always a good time for a drink 🥃 👍

What does the "R" and "R" stand for in the pictures behind you? (just curious) :-)

Hey Anders do you know why sometimes I see this cocktail as Hotel Nacional Special? First I thought there were two different cocktails but now I think it's just two names for the same cocktail

“after the pandemic is over” didn’t age so great

Lead a tour of classic cocktail joints *in Cuba* and we'll join you!

Want a nice cigar? Pick up a Liga Privada T52. Beautiful cigar.

@PhilippTimokhin

3 жыл бұрын

T52 is real nice. If you try a light and an infused cigar - try Isla del Sol by Drew Estate

@projectvictory8150

3 жыл бұрын

@@PhilippTimokhin Drew Estate makes amazing cigars.

@projectvictory8150

3 жыл бұрын

@@PhilippTimokhin you NEED to try a Tabernacle though…

@PhilippTimokhin

3 жыл бұрын

@@projectvictory8150 I’ll give it a try

If Rum isn't your thing, any recommendations for a substitute?

@CharlieDexter99

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, pick a different drink.

Try swapping the apricot liqueur for violet liqueur, D.E.licious

Can I use apricot brandy for this?

@AndersErickson

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely - Cheers!

I was watching this on my TV and when you said “Alexa...” guess what happened? Alexa started offering info about Cuba 😂

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

Hahaha - sorry about that 😂

Delicios! 🥰🥰🥰

Also....it's Aug 2022.....did ya make it to Cuba yet?😏 Haha....and I'm actually smoking a cigar right now! But it doesn't taste like a turd 🤣

You can still go to Cuba. You just need to check a different category to go. There used to be 13. Now there are 12. Doesn’t matter which one you pick. Nobody checks. Just pick support of the Cuban people. Bring back some rum! It’s great and cheap!

@BillStreeter

3 жыл бұрын

Also as a person who regularly publishes content about cocktails “professional research” is a totally valid reason. As an American it’s illegal for you to spend money at the Hotel Nacional because it’s owned by the government. But like I said nobody checks up on this. I went to Havana in 2017 and it was great. Hire a local guide and you’ll have a much better time.

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

This is fascinating - I had no idea it would be illegal to spend money at the Hotel Nacional! And I appreciate the tip on hiring a local guide. Cheers, Bill!

@BillStreeter

3 жыл бұрын

@@AndersErickson yeah-just to be clear it’s illegal in the US, the Cubans don’t care at all. It’s dumb. There are some good videos here on KZread about traveling in Cuba. It’s a little different than going almost anywhere else so the more you know and all that ..

I feel like this could use some Tajin as a garnish...

#soscuba

What is oz?

@JoannaBoj

2 жыл бұрын

Ounce. 1oz=30 ml

Anyone else noticed that the clock over his shoulder says 5 o'clock through the entire video… is that a bartender thing? A clock that says 5 o'clock permanently?

Start small with a box of Macanudo Mini cigars. Very good, makes you look less dickish, while still smoking a cigar. But beware of making this a habit. Cigars are more expensive than cocaine, and about as addictive. Also, if you can’t find the apricot liqueur amid the pandemic, in a pinch you can substitute with apricot jelly (like you’d normally have on toast). Just make sure to fine strain the heck out of it. Aussies use that in drinks.

So, have you gone to Cuba yet?

If you want to go to Cuba, get yourselves a Canadian friend. You will need to purchase your tickets in Canada, with a Canadian issued credit card. Upon arrival ask the Cuban customs officer not to stamp your USA passport with a Cuban entry stamp. They will give you a loose piece of paper with the stamp, and you give it back to the customs officer upon exiting. Presto, no paper trail of evading American law.

Why are you building your drink in the big tin?

you really should just try a cigar... go to a decent lounge and ask for a recommendation. the first thing they will ask you if they're decent is how long do you want to smoke for

That's for... other things..

He looks a little bit like Tom fellon

You can go to Cuba just not directly

anders research a cult that way you cover two bases

Squeezing is a form of pressing.

If you go right now I am pretty confident they will tell you there is not pineapple juice ..so the can not make it for you..🤣🤣🤣🤣 ...come to miami better ...".we are open for bussines" or just come a I would make you one . I have cuban rum..all friends when they go there to visit family bring you one. Or I can make a you "el presidente " another havana hotel inspired cocktail. Have you try a daiquiri with maraschino liquor or a mojito with maraschino liquor ?

So… pandemic is getting close to over… Cuba Trip???

@AndersErickson

3 жыл бұрын

Eventually 🤞🤞

@Barprints

3 жыл бұрын

I'm down

If you are Mexican American you can just get your Mexican passport and use that to travel to Cuba lmao