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Elusive Dreams
A riff on the classic Hotel Nacional Special cocktail with rum-laced, sweet 'n' sour, tropical fruit and delicate cinnamon spice
31st May at 16:00
Made using ingredients listed, except cinnamon syrup was homemade (but similar brix to Mojin).
Very tasty, with Naked Ape vibes. A bit too sweet. I added a few drops of Ms. Betters Pineapple and Star Anise bitters which helped. But when if I make this again I would dial the cinnamon syrup down to 1/4 oz, or acid adjust the pineapple juice, or add a float of overproof.
Very tasty, with Naked Ape vibes. A bit too sweet. I added a few drops of Ms. Betters Pineapple and Star Anise bitters which helped. But when if I make this again I would dial the cinnamon syrup down to 1/4 oz, or acid adjust the pineapple juice, or add a float of overproof.
25th January at 18:06
Didn’t have pineapple rum so used some pineapple vodka along with the light white rum, and cinnamon liqueur vs the Monnin syrup but it was very nice indeed. Slightly sour and fruity, banana there but not too forward. Went down a treat.
16th September 2025 at 14:10
Very sumptuous. But, and maybe this gets filed under 'silly question', how does one squeeze all of this into a Coupe glass? We served it straight up in a Rocks glass, where it nestled snugly.
16th September 2025 at 14:42
Ingredients total 142.5ml + dilution = approx. 180ml and photographed in a Freddo Coupe with a capacity of 196ml to brim. However, to scale back recipe =
20 ml Pineapple rum
20 ml Light white rum
20 ml Pineapple juice
15 ml Lime juice
10 ml Cinnamon syrup
10 ml Banana liqueur
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95 ml = perfect size for a Retro Coupette Glass
20 ml Pineapple rum
20 ml Light white rum
20 ml Pineapple juice
15 ml Lime juice
10 ml Cinnamon syrup
10 ml Banana liqueur
----
95 ml = perfect size for a Retro Coupette Glass
22nd August 2025 at 23:48
If you've ever had The Naked Ape from Smuggler's Cove then this is a juicy, pineapple version of it. I just adore the combination of cinnamon syrup and banana liqueur so I knew from the start this would be something I'd like. I'm honestly surprised, though, at how much I'd like it. The pineapple works great with cinnamon banana, and the lime ties everything together. The only slight I have against is that it could use a few dashes of Ango.
26th April 2025 at 20:34
I didn't have pineapple rum so used coconut rum (Kalani) instead which gave it a Pina Colada vibe. Very nice.
13th April 2025 at 14:51
I also tried the original recipe with 22.5 ml cinnamon syrup. Liked it since my palette is on sweet side.
29th April 2024 at 00:59
A definite improvement for me over the classic Hotel Nacional Special - the added depth of the cinnamon syrup and banana liqueur elevates the drink.
23rd October 2023 at 01:50
Very nice with probitas rum. I think it would be best with a pineapple gomme syrup, which would enhance the mouthfeel obtained from the pineapple.
9th July 2023 at 16:40
Ooh, that’s a lot of flavours! Pineapple overtones with lingering banana and cinnamon flavours. Sweet but really enjoyable.
60ml Pineapple, banana and cinnamon infused white rum
30ml Pineapple juice
22ml Freshly squeezed lime juice
15ml Cinnamon 1:1 Syrup
15ml Banane du Brésil liqueur
1 egg white
Infusion: Add fresh pineapple chunks, sliced ½ banana and 2x cinnamon sticks into an ISI charger with the white rum. Charge with 2x cartridges. Leave for 1-hr. Release and sieve.